Acute otitis externa, also known as swimmer's ear, is a painful inflammation of the canal between the ear and the eardrum.When dirty water enters the ear canal while people swim or bathe, this condition is known as swimmer's ear.Swimmer's ear can be caused by damage to the thin layer of skin protecting it.The ear canal needs a moist environment to be free from infections.If you know how to identify swimmer's ear, you can get it treated before it becomes too painful and spread.
Step 1: You should sense an itch in your ear.
Itching in the ear canal is the first sign of swimmer's ear.One of the main causes of ear infections is exposure to water, so pay particular attention to the itching that occurs in the days after swimming.Infections due to fungi cause more pain.
Step 2: Look for redness in your ear.
You may be developing an ear infection if you can see redness just inside your ear.Most of the time, the infection will be in one ear.
Step 3: Pay attention to what is happening.
You might not be in pain yet, but you may have an ear infection.If you pull on the pinna or push the tragus on your ear, it will make it worse.Classic findings in swimmer's ear include pinna and tragus-related irritations.
Step 4: There is a chance of drainage.
The fluid would be clear and odorless at this stage.As the infection progresses, the drainage becomes yellow and smelly.
Step 5: You should see your doctor.
You should see your doctor at the first sign of an ear infection.This isn't an urgent medical issue, but it can progress to a point of significant pain, chronic ear infections, and widespread infections.There is a difference between a swimmer's ear, an ear canal infection, and an otitis media.Otitis media can be caused by an upper respiratory infection or allergies.Your doctor can help you figure out what type of infections you have and how to treat them.Don't use over-the-counter ear drops.You will need a prescription from your doctor for antibiotic or antifungal ear drops if you have these drops.Your doctor will use an otoscope to examine your ear.The ear canal is visible to you, but the ear drum is not.Your doctor can take a sample of your ear to determine the nature of the discharge.The doctor will be able to confirm whether or not you need antibiotics.Your doctor will start you on drops while you wait for the sample to be sent to a lab.Antibiotic ear drops are usually prescribed by your doctor to treat swimmers ear.The drops may have a steroid medicine in them.She will give you advice on how to treat the pain.
Step 6: Change in sensation.
You may be turning to pain now that you are experiencing more intense itching.The fluid and inflammation in your ear is the cause of the increased pain.There will be a feeling of fullness inside the ear due to the build up.It may take a few days for the pain and feeling of fullness to show up.
Step 7: Evaluate redness.
The redness in your ear will get worse as the infection progresses.
Step 8: There are drainage changes that you can look for.
The drainage from your ear may be increasing in volume.Pus is a fluid that comes from infections and smells bad.To dry out your ear, use a clean tissue.
Step 9: Determine if you can hear something.
It's possible that your hearing is becoming muffled.There is a problem with your ear canal.You can see how well you hear out of the affected ear by covering it.
Step 10: Expect pain.
The advanced ear infections can cause pain to spread to your face, neck, jaw, or side of your head.If you have severe symptoms, you should go to the emergency room.
Step 11: It's a good idea to expect muffled hearing.
If you have complete obstruction of your ear canal, you won't be able to hear out of it.
Step 12: There are physical changes to look for.
Your outer ear may be swollen and red due to the redness of your ear.
Step 13: You can feel the swelling on your neck.
The lymphatic system in your body will be used to fight the infection.Swelling in the neck is a sign of an increased progression of the disease.Use the middle 3 fingers of your hand.Under your jaw line, gently press down the sides of your neck.
Step 14: If you have a high temperature, check it out.
Your body will be working harder to fight off the infection as it starts to affect you.Raising your temperature makes the environment inhospitable to infections.Any temperature over 37.3C or 99F will be a fever.THe use of tympanic, or ear, thermometers is one of the ways to monitor a fever.Take your temperature in the other ear if you have an ear problem.You want to make sure you get a true reading of your body temperature because the infection will increase the temperature in the affected ear.