Swimmer’s Ear vs. Regular Ear Infection: What’s the Difference?
Imagine your kid returned from a refreshing swim after a hot summer day. Everything feels excellent until your kid’s ear starts aching. Is it just water trapped or something serious? A swimmer’s ear vs ear infection can be tricky to identify because both have similar discomfort, but causes and treatment differ.
How do you understand the difference between swimmer’s ear vs ear infection? Let’s Dive In and Explore!
Swimmer's Ear Vs Ear Infection: Early detection and treatment are key to proactive and responsible care!
Feature | Swimmer’s Ear | Regular Ear infection |
Area Affected | Outer ear canal or front of the eardrum | Middle ear or behind the eardrum |
Cause | Bacteria or water exposure | Allergies, infections, or a cold |
Pain | It gets worse with ear movement | Deep pain or pressure inside the ear |
Fluid drainage | Often | Sometimes, if the eardrum bursts |
Possibility of hearing loss | Possible, due to swelling | Possible due to fluid buildup |
Treatment | Antibiotic ear drops | Oral antibiotics or pain medications |
What is a Swimmer's Ear? Causes and Symptoms
Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear canal infection that causes redness, swelling, and fluid discharge from the ear. When water gets stuck in the ear canal while swimming or in other ways, germs build up, washing away earwax that safeguards against infection. Swimmer’s ear is painful and often occurs in children.
What are the causes of a swimmer’s ear?
Too much wetness in the ear causes a swimmer’s ear. Some other causes include,
- Cleaning ears using fingers, cotton swabs, or other objects
- Injury to the ear canal
- Foreign objects in the ear canal
- Too much earwax
- Inflammatory skin condition or eczema
Swimmer’s ear Symptoms
- Outer ear redness
- Itching inside ear
- Pain while touching or wiggling
- Pus from the ear
- Swollen ear canal
- Hearing loss or muffled hearing
- Plugged-up feeling in the ear
The fluid buildup in the middle ear is not contagious, but the underlying virus that triggers ear infection, like a cold or flu, can be infectious and spread through contact.
Otitis media lasts 3 to 7 days and resolves with antibiotics. If fluid remains trapped in the middle, mild hearing issues may persist for a few weeks.
How do you spot the difference between a swimmer's ear vs an ear infection?
- Pain – where it arises- Children will likely experience pain and discomfort for both swimmer’s ear and ear infection. Swimmer’s ear causes discomfort in the outer ear, which is noticeable while pulling the earlobe. Ear infection causes pain in the inner ear and increases when the child is lying down.
- Look for visible symptoms- If it’s a swimmer’s ear, the outer ear will be red and swollen, with a rash-like appearance. The child will have an itchy ear. Alternatively, regular ear infections will have symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or decreased appetite.
- Hearing difficulties- Swimmer’s ear and middle ear infections cause muffled hearing or hearing loss.
Ask a few questions? Did ear pain start after a recent swim in the pool, lake, or hot tub? Answers to these questions may help you identify the exact ear infection. |
How does an ENT Specialist treat a swimmer's ear and regular ear infection?
Swimmer’s ear treatment | Regular ear infection treatment |
Ear drops to kill bacteria Pain medicines Ear drops to reduce swelling Keeping the ear dry and clean | Antibiotics to reduce ear infection Pain-relieving medicines Tympanostomy tubes |
Water woes or cold complications? Contact Dr.Peter Baptista, ENT Specialist in Dubai
If you suspect a swimmer’s ear or regular ear infection, don’t delay a consultation with an expert ENT specialist. Dr. Peter Baptista is a renowned ENT surgeon in Dubai treating chronic ear infections. He is an expert in diagnosing and treating pediatric and adult patients suffering from diverse ear, nose, and throat problems.
Whether it’s a swimmer’s ear or a regular ear infection, Dr. Peter ensures advanced diagnostics and personalized treatments, instilling confidence and security in your child’s care.
Book your Appointment & experience world-class ear care!
Dr Peter Baptista Jardin
European Board Certified ENT Doctor In Dubai
Dr. Peter Baptista Jardin is an ENT specialist with a special interest in treating sleep apnea. He is a revered expert in Spain for performing the first ever robotic transoral surgery in 2011, and the only series of hypoglossal nerve stimulation proved revolutionary for obstructive sleep apnea treatment worldwide. He currently serves as an ENT doctor in Dubai’s Al Zahra Hospital.
