Treatments

Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) Treatments

Treatment for otitis externa (swimmer’s ear) is important to avoid recurrent infections, hearing loss, and damage to bone, cartilage, nearby tissue and nerves.

Treatments include:

• Antibiotic eardrops
• Antifungal eardrops
• Corticosteroid eardrops
• Pain medication
• Avoiding getting the ear wet until it is healed

Prevention of swimmer’s ear is important if you or your child spend a lot of time in the water or are susceptible to swimmer’s ear because of other habits. Preventive techniques include:

• Using waterproof earplugs in the pool or shower
• Never cleaning the ear canal with a foreign object
• Letting excess water drain out after swimming or showering by tilting the head
• Gently drying the ear out with a hair dryer on a low, cool setting