Swimmer's Ear: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Written by Achuta Uppu, MD. Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

What kind of doctor treats Swimmer's Ear?

Your regular doctor or an ear, nose, and throat doctor, also called an ENT or otolaryngologist, can care for swimmer's ear. If hearing problems remain after treatment, an audiologist, a hearing specialist, can test your hearing. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

What is swimmer's ear?

Swimmer's ear is inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. The medical term for it is otitis externa. It may be sudden and short-term, called acute, or long-term, called chronic.

It is an infection of the outer ear canal. Swimmer's ear can be painful. It can happen to children or adults.

Symptoms

Symptoms of swimmer's ear include:

  • Ear pain, which may get worse when you pull on the outer ear.
  • Drainage from the ear that may be yellow, yellow-green, pus-like, or foul smelling.
  • Itching of the ear or ear canal.
  • Redness and swelling of the outer ear and ear canal.
  • Hearing loss.

You may have some hearing loss if your ear is swollen or draining. This hearing loss usually goes away after the infection is gone.

Causes and who gets it

Swimmer's ear can be caused by moisture trapped in the ear canal or by an injury to the ear canal. Swimming in unclean water can lead to swimmer's ear. Rarely, a fungus causes the infection. Other causes include scratching the ear or inside the ear, which can damage the skin of the ear canal, and getting something stuck in the ear. Cleaning wax from the ear canal with cotton swabs or small objects can also damage the skin.

It is more common among children in their teens and young adults. It may occur with a middle ear infection or a respiratory infection such as a cold. Some people with skin conditions may get swimmer's ear more easily. Long-term swimmer's ear may be due to an allergic reaction to something placed in the ear, or to a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis.

How doctors diagnose it

The health care provider will look inside your ears. The ear canal area will look red and swollen. Touching or moving the outer ear will increase the pain. The eardrum may be hard to see because of swelling in the outer ear. A sample of fluid may be removed from the ear and sent to a lab to look for bacteria or fungus.

Treatment

Swimmer's ear is usually treated with ear drops from your doctor. In most cases, the drops are antibiotic ear drops used for 10 to 14 days. If the ear canal is very swollen, a wick may be put into the ear so the drops can travel to the end of the canal. Your doctor may also clean your ear canal.

Other treatments may include:

  • Antibiotics taken by mouth if you have a middle ear infection or an infection that spreads beyond the ear.
  • Corticosteroids, medicines that reduce itching and inflammation.
  • Pain medicine.
  • Vinegar (acetic acid) ear drops.

Placing something warm against the ear may reduce pain. People with chronic swimmer's ear may need long-term or repeated treatment. Swimmer's ear most often gets better with the proper treatment.

When to see a doctor

Swimmer's ear can be treated, so contact your doctor or ENT right away. Contact your provider if you notice any drainage coming from your ears. Also call if your symptoms get worse or continue despite treatment. Call your provider about new symptoms, such as fever or pain and redness of the skull behind the ear.

The infection may spread to other areas around the ear, including the skull bone. In older people or those who have diabetes or a condition that weakens the immune system, the infection may become severe.

How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can look in the ear, check for signs of infection, and refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor if needed.

Common questions

How is swimmer's ear treated?

Swimmer's ear is usually treated with ear drops from your doctor. Your doctor may clean your ear canal or take a sample of any drainage to see which medicine will work the best. Your doctor may also recommend a pain reliever if your ear canal hurts.

Can swimmer's ear be prevented?

Yes, keeping your ear canal dry is the best way to avoid the infection. Dry your ears well with a towel after swimming or bathing. Wear earplugs if you swim a lot. Also avoid swimming in polluted water.

Will swimmer's ear hurt my hearing?

You may have some hearing loss while your ear is swollen or draining. This hearing loss usually goes away after the infection is gone. If you still have hearing problems after treatment, have your hearing tested by an audiologist.

Is it safe to clean my ears with cotton swabs?

No, do not put cotton swabs or other objects in your ears. Cotton swabs, fingernails, and pointed objects can scratch your ear canal, which can make it easier to get an infection.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus - Swimmer's ear
  2. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa)

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.