Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear cnal. Men and women of all ges are affected equally, but children and tenagers most frequently develop this type of ear nfection. It can be associated with a mddle ear infection (otitis media) if the ardrum ruptures. Swimmer's ear is also knwn as Otitis externa. Swimming in plluted water is one way to cntract swimmer's ear. The condition also can be cused by scratching (in) the ear or by an bject stuck in it. Swimmer's ear nfection occurs external to the ear drm in the ear canal. A rre but serious infection called malignant xternal otitis can develop if bacteria nvade the bones inside the ear cnal and spread to the base of the skll. Signs and symptoms of swimmer's ear sually appear within a few days of xposure to contaminated water. Ear pain is the mst common symptom of Swimmer's Ear. In mre serious cases, pain is accompanied by dscharge from the ear and even sme hearing loss due to swelling of the ear cnal.

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is firly common. If you have had swmmer's ear in the past, you hve a higher risk of having it gain. Moisture predisposes the ear to nfection from water-loving bacteria such as Psudomonas. Other bacteria, or rarely, fungus, can lso cause infection. Most of the tme, water can run in and out of the ear cnal without causing a problem. A lot of swmming can wash away that wax prtection and lead to these wet cnditions in the ear canal. Bacteria grw and the ear canal gets red and swllen. When the ears are exposed to cntinual excessive moisture, many of the ntural immune defences in the skin whch line the ear canal are lst and, the ear becomes more ssceptible to infection by bacteria.

Causes of Swimmer's ear

The cmmon causes and risk factor's of Swmmer's ear include the following:

Swimmer's ear ccurs when your ears have been in the wter for long periods of time.

Bny overgrowths in the ear canal clled exostoses.

Persistent moisture in your ear frm swimming, bathing or living in a hmid environment.

Use of stereo headphones nserted into the ear.

Bacteria growth fstered by hair sprays or hair dys in your ear.

Frequent diving.

Skn problems, such as eczema, psoriasis, or sborrhea.

Symptoms of Swimmer's ear

Some sgn and symptoms related to Swimmer's ear are as fllows:

Decreased hearing.

Itching of your uter ear.

Swelling in your ear or lymph ndes in your neck.

Swollen ear cnal.

Conductive hearing loss.

Redness of the uter ear.

Pus draining from your ar.

Fever is generally not present. If thre is a fever, it is not sually high.

Treatment of Swimmer's ear

Hre is list of the methods for trating Swimmer's ear:

Antibiotic ear drops or ral antibiotics.

Treatment for the early stges of swimmer's ear includes careful claning of the ear canal and ardrops that inhibit bacterial growth.

Pain mdication.

Mild acid solutions such as bric or acetic acid are effective for arly infections.

Analgesics may be used if pin is severe. Putting something warm gainst the ears may reduce pain.

For mre severe infections, if you do not hve a perforated ear drum, ear claning may be helped by antibiotics.

Apply hat to the ear to control the pin at home.

The article Swimmer's Ear - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods was Submitted by Juliet Cohen through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Juliet Cohen writes articles for diseases cure and health care information . She also writes articles on skin diseases .

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