Have you ever experienced an itchy or painful ear after swimming? You may have had swimmer’s ear, medically known as acute otitis externa. This condition involves inflammation and infection of the skin lining the outer ear canal.

Despite its name, swimmer’s ear does not affect only swimmers. It can also develop after bathing or other activities that expose the ears to water.

For travelers visiting Bali, swimming pools, beach activities, and frequent water exposure can make ear health particularly important. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention of swimmer’s ear can help you enjoy your holiday while taking care of your ears.

What Is Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal, the passage connecting the outside of the ear to the eardrum. It differs from a middle ear infection, which affects the area behind the eardrum.

The condition commonly develops when water remains trapped inside the ear canal. Excessive moisture can weaken the ear canal’s natural protective mechanisms, creating an environment where bacteria can grow.

Although swimming is a common trigger, swimmer’s ear can also occur after bathing or other activities involving water exposure.

What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?

The ear canal has natural defenses that help protect it against infection. One important defense is earwax, also known as cerumen, which helps maintain a protective, acidic environment and provides a barrier against moisture.

When excessive moisture interferes with these defenses, the risk of infection may increase.

Other factors that can contribute to swimmer’s ear include:

• Frequent swimming or water exposure: Water may remain trapped inside the ear canal.
• Excessive ear cleaning: Removing too much protective earwax can make the ear canal more vulnerable.
• Scratching or trauma: Cotton swabs, fingernails, hairpins, and other objects can damage the delicate skin inside the ear.
• Skin conditions: Conditions such as eczema or psoriasis may affect the ear canal.
• Ear devices: Hearing aids or earphones may contribute to irritation in some circumstances.
• Previous swimmer’s ear: A history of the condition may increase the likelihood of recurrence.

Understanding these risk factors can help you take simple steps to protect your ears during everyday activities and while traveling.

What Are the Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear?

Symptoms can develop within a few days after water exposure. The severity varies depending on the degree of inflammation and infection.

Common symptoms include:

• Ear pain: Pain may become worse when the outer ear is touched or pulled.
• Itching: An uncomfortable sensation inside the ear canal.
• Redness or swelling: Inflammation may narrow the ear canal.
• A feeling of fullness: The ear may feel blocked or under pressure.
• Fluid or discharge: Liquid may come from the affected ear.
• Temporary hearing reduction: Swelling or debris may block the ear canal and affect hearing.

One characteristic sign of swimmer’s ear is pain when pressing the tragus, the small flap of cartilage in front of the ear canal, or when moving the outer ear.

However, these symptoms can also occur with other ear conditions. A healthcare professional can assess the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

How Can You Prevent Swimmer’s Ear?

Several simple habits can help reduce the risk of developing swimmer’s ear, particularly if you frequently swim or participate in water activities.

1. Keep Your Ears Dry

After swimming or bathing, tilt your head to each side to help water drain naturally from the ear canal. Gently dry the outer ear with a clean towel.

If water remains trapped, a hair dryer may be used on its lowest heat and airflow settings, held at a safe distance from the ear.

Avoid directing hot air directly into the ear canal.

2. Use Appropriate Ear Protection When Swimming

If you frequently experience swimmer’s ear, properly fitted swimming earplugs or a swim cap may help reduce water entering the ear canal.

Choose suitable ear protection and seek professional advice if you have a history of ear problems.

3. Avoid Inserting Objects Into Your Ears

Do not use cotton swabs, hairpins, pencils, fingernails, or other objects to clean the inside of the ear canal.

These objects can scratch the skin, cause irritation, and remove protective earwax, potentially increasing the risk of infection.

Remember: Your ears are generally self-cleaning. Earwax is not simply dirt; it plays an important role in protecting the ear canal.

4. Avoid Excessive Ear Cleaning

Trying to remove all earwax may do more harm than good. Unless there is a medical reason, routine deep cleaning of the ear canal is generally unnecessary.

Clean only the outer ear and allow earwax to move outward naturally.

5. Practice Safe Swimming

Swim in properly maintained pools and avoid contaminated water whenever possible. Safe swimming practices can help reduce exposure to organisms associated with recreational water activities.

How Is Swimmer’s Ear Treated?

If you develop ear pain, itching, or discharge after swimming, consider seeking medical assessment to determine whether swimmer’s ear is the cause.

For uncomplicated acute swimmer’s ear, topical ear drops are the main treatment. Depending on the diagnosis and severity, these may contain an antimicrobial medication, an anti-inflammatory medication, or a combination of both.

Oral antibiotics are not routinely necessary for uncomplicated swimmer’s ear because the infection is generally localized to the ear canal. A healthcare professional can determine whether additional treatment is required.

Important Precautions Before Using Ear Drops

Do not use ear drops without medical advice if you have a known or suspected perforated eardrum, have ear tubes, or experience unexplained ear drainage.

Some ear preparations may be inappropriate when the eardrum is not intact. Using the correct treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis and assessment of the ear.

Avoid inserting objects into the ear or attempting to clean deep inside the canal while symptoms are present.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Although swimmer’s ear is usually treatable, some symptoms require medical attention.

Seek medical assessment if you experience:

• Severe or worsening ear pain.
• Significant swelling of the ear canal.
• Pus or persistent fluid coming from the ear.
• Hearing loss.
• Symptoms that do not improve with treatment.
• Fever or signs that the infection may be spreading.

People with diabetes or a weakened immune system should seek medical attention promptly if they develop significant ear pain or discharge, as they may be at increased risk of complications.

Do not ignore persistent symptoms or assume that all ear pain after swimming is caused by trapped water.

Common Myths About Swimmer’s Ear

Myth 1: Only Swimmers Get Swimmer’s Ear

Fact: Swimming is a common trigger, but swimmer’s ear can also develop after bathing or other activities involving water exposure.

Myth 2: Cotton Swabs Prevent Ear Infections by Keeping the Ears Clean

Fact: Cotton swabs can damage the skin inside the ear canal and remove protective earwax, potentially increasing the risk of irritation and infection.

Myth 3: All Ear Infections Are the Same

Fact: Swimmer’s ear affects the outer ear canal, while otitis media affects the middle ear behind the eardrum. These conditions have different causes and may require different treatments.

Recognizing these differences can help you avoid inappropriate self-treatment and seek the right care when symptoms develop.

The Take-Home Message: Keep Your Ears Healthy While Traveling

Swimmer’s ear is a common and usually treatable condition, but it can cause significant discomfort and may become more serious if left untreated.

Simple preventive habits can make a difference:

• Keep your ears dry after swimming or bathing.
• Avoid inserting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal.
• Allow protective earwax to remain in place.
• Seek medical advice if you develop persistent pain, swelling, discharge, or hearing difficulties.

Keep your ears dry. Keep objects out of your ear canals. Seek medical care when symptoms develop.

Whether you are swimming at the beach, relaxing by the pool, or exploring Bali, taking care of your ear health can help you enjoy your activities more comfortably.

Need Medical Assistance in Uluwatu, Bali?

If you experience ear pain, itching, discharge, or hearing difficulties while visiting Bali, a healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and guide you toward appropriate treatment.

One Medical Clinic Uluwatu
First in Care, One With You.

Booking and Appointment:
WhatsApp: +62 823 13567712
Jalan Labuan Sait No. 88, Pecatu, Kuta Selatan, Bali

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing Swimmer’s Ear. Updated May 28, 2025.
2. Rosenfeld RM, Schwartz SR, Cannon CR, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Acute Otitis Externa. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2014;150(1 Suppl).
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Estimated Burden of Acute Otitis Externa—United States, 2003–2007. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2011;60:605–609.