Can you swim with swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection that causes inflammation of the ear canal, which is the tube between your outer ear and your ear drum. It’s often referred to as ‘swimmer’s ear’ because inflammation is more likely if you regularly get water in your ear – which raises the question, can you still swim with swimmer’s ear?

Swimming can aggravate an existing ear infection and delay healing so it’s probably better to take a break from swimming while the ear is recovering.

In this blog, we’ll consider when it might be safe to swim again with swimmer’s ear and how to protect your ears when you do.

Swimmer’s ear is mainly caused by bacterial infection, although it can also be caused by irritation, fungal infection and allergies.

Common symptoms of swimmer’s ear include ear pain; itching and irritation in and around the ear canal; redness and swelling of the outer ear and ear canal; discharge from the ear; and tenderness when moving ear or jaw.

Regularly getting water in the ear can make getting swimmer’s ear more likely and the moisture can provide the ideal environment for bacteria to grow.

Adding water to an already irritated ear can increase discomfort and delay recovery so it’s advisable to avoid swimming while the ear is infected.

When water stays in the ear canal, it can soften the protective barrier of ear wax, which is the ear’s natural defence system, keeping the skin inside the ear damp. If the skin inside the ear remains damp, bacteria and fungi can grow more easily.

Because swimmer’s ear is typically caused by water exposure, it is more likely to affect those who swim frequently.

If you already have otitis externa and more water gets into the ear, you can risk slowing down healing and making the symptoms much worse.

Your risk of contracting swimmer’s ear, or making it worse, can increase according to the environment. Well-maintained pools, treated to control bacteria levels, are safer than lakes and rivers for your ears.

You shouldn’t swim or get your ears wet for at least seven to 10 days after an ear infection. You can seek OTC treatment from your local pharmacist to help your recovery and return to swimming.

If symptoms are severe or persist without improvement, it’s best to speak to your GP.

There are some practical steps you can take to help protect your ears when you return to swimming after swimmer’s ear:

• Dry your ears properly after swimming, tilting your head to allow gravity to help the water to drain
• Avoid inserting objects like cotton buds into the ear as they can push wax deeper into the ear canal, making it harder to clean
• Choose clean swimming environments and avoid water sources that could be contaminated
• Wear swimming ear plugs to keep water out of the ear canal.

Although it can be tempting to return to the water quickly and swim when you have still got swimmer’s ear, it’s best to avoid swimming with an existing infection to speed up your recovery and not feel any worse.

If you experience ongoing symptoms, you should seek medical advice and have your ears examined by a qualified professional.