By Samantha Allen, MD, FAAP, pediatric otolaryngologist, based in Northern Virginia
With summer in full swing, water activities keep kids active and cool — but they can also bring risks, particularly the notorious swimmer’s ear infection. Keeping ear health and a few simple precautions in mind can help families avoid common issues and enjoy a safe, healthy summer.
Swimmer’s Ear 101
One of the most common ear infections seen during the summer is swimmer’s ear, or acute otitis externa. This type of infection develops when water and moisture linger in the ear canal, creating an environment where bacteria can grow.
Anyone can develop swimmer’s ear, from younger kids splashing in the pool for hours to teens spending long days at swim team practice. The most common sign of swimmer’s ear is ear pain in combination with drainage from the ear.
When swimmer’s ear is diagnosed, it is typically treated with topical antibiotic ear drops, rather than the oral antibiotics often used for more common ear infections.
While complications are uncommon, symptoms that don’t improve with treatment or that worsen — such as spreading redness or swelling — should be evaluated promptly, sometimes in an emergency setting or by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
Addressing Chronic Swimmer’s Ear
Some children are more prone to swimmer’s ear, especially those who spend frequent, repeated time in the water. Ongoing moisture in the ear canal can make it harder for the ear to fully dry and return to its normal balance.
For kids who experience recurrent infections, a few preventive steps can help. The first is to keep ears dry after swimming by gently drying the ears with a towel and using a hair dryer on a cool, low setting to remove lingering moisture. Over-the-counter swimmer’s ear drops or vinegar, typically with a 2% acidity, help dry the ear canal. Some families may use a combination of the drops and vinegar to help restore the ear’s natural acidic environment and limit bacterial or fungal growth.
It’s also important to remember that earwax plays a protective role, helping to maintain the ear’s natural pH and providing a barrier against infection. For that reason, inserting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear can do more harm than good by disrupting this natural defense.
Other Infections and Common Myths
While swimmer’s ear is common over the summer, there are also a few misconceptions around it.
One of the biggest myths is that swimming causes the typical “middle ear” infections. In reality, those infections are usually related to upper respiratory illnesses seen in colder months — not time spent in the pool.
While swimming itself does not usually increase the risk of these common ear infections, certain environments — like stagnant lake water, rivers or heavily used water parks — can carry a higher risk of bacterial or fungal exposure, particularly for children who are already prone to ear issues. For those children, extra precautions like earplugs or drying drops may be helpful, particularly in these water settings.
Before You Dive In
The bottom line is that swimming is an important and healthy part of summer, and ear concerns shouldn’t keep kids out of the water. Instead, focus on a few simple preventive steps, like drying ears thoroughly after swimming, avoiding sticking cotton swaps or other objects in the ear or using preventive drops if your child is prone to swimmer’s ear.
If swimmer’s ear does develop and at-home measures aren’t helping, treatment with topical ear drops is typically effective — and starting care early can help kids get back to their normal summer routines more quickly.
With a little awareness and prevention, most families can keep ear issues to a minimum and make the most of the season.
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