Otitis Externa: Causes, Treatments, and What You Need to Know

When your ear hurts, swells, or feels blocked after swimming or showering, you might be dealing with otitis externa, an inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal, often triggered by moisture, irritation, or bacteria. Also known as swimmer’s ear, it’s not just a nuisance—it can turn painful fast if ignored. Unlike middle ear infections, which happen behind the eardrum, otitis externa affects the skin-lined canal leading to your eardrum. It’s common in kids, swimmers, and anyone who gets water stuck in their ears regularly.

The biggest trigger? Moisture. Water left in the ear creates a damp environment where bacteria and fungi thrive. Scratching the ear canal with cotton swabs, using hearing aids or earbuds too often, or having eczema in the skin around the ear can make it worse. You’ll know it’s otitis externa if touching your earlobe or pushing on the tragus (the little flap in front of the ear canal) causes sharp pain. It’s not just itching—it’s a deep, throbbing ache that gets worse when you chew or move your jaw.

Treatment usually starts with ear drops, medicated solutions that fight infection and reduce swelling, often containing antibiotics, antifungals, or steroids. In mild cases, over-the-counter drying drops help. But if it’s severe or doesn’t improve, you’ll need prescription drops—and sometimes oral antibiotics if the infection spreads. The key is not to wait. Delaying treatment can lead to longer recovery, more pain, or even rare complications like narrowing of the ear canal.

Prevention is simpler than you think. Dry your ears after swimming or bathing with a towel or a hairdryer on low heat. Avoid putting anything sharp inside your ear canal—no cotton swabs, bobby pins, or fingers. If you swim often, consider custom-fitted earplugs or a swim cap that seals your ears. People with diabetes or weakened immune systems should be extra careful—otitis externa can become dangerous faster for them.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just theory. These are real, practical guides written for people who’ve been there: how to tell if it’s otitis externa or something else, what works and what doesn’t when it comes to ear drops, why some home remedies backfire, and how to avoid repeating the same mistake. You’ll see how people manage flare-ups, what doctors actually recommend, and what to do if your ear won’t stop hurting. No fluff. Just clear, actionable info that helps you feel better faster.