What it is
Swimmer's ear is an infection of the outer ear canal, usually after water sits in the ear. It's different from a middle ear infection behind the eardrum, which a clinician can only see with an otoscope. That difference is why we treat swimmer's ear on video only when the drainage is visible on camera. If it isn't, we'll say so and point you to an in-person exam.
What you might notice
- Ear pain that gets worse when you tug the earlobe or press the flap in front of the ear
- Itching inside the ear
- Redness and swelling of the ear canal
- Clear, cloudy or yellow drainage
- Muffled hearing
What we can do on video
- Confirm swimmer's ear when we can see the drainage on camera
- Prescribe antibiotic ear drops, often combined with a steroid
- Set up a pain plan and keep-it-dry instructions
- Tell you plainly if the ear needs an in-person exam instead
Caring for them at home
- Keep the ear dry for 7 to 10 days: no swimming, and a shower cap or cotton with petroleum jelly in the shower
- Tilt the head to drain water; dry the outer ear with a towel or a hair dryer on low held at a distance
- No cotton swabs in the canal
- Warm the drops in your hands first and give them exactly as directed
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen dosed by weight
Be seen in person if…
- Fever, or redness and swelling spreading behind or around the ear
- Severe pain, or a canal so swollen the drops can't get in
- Ear pain with fever in a child under three, which we can't tell apart from a middle ear infection on video
- Ear tubes or a known hole in the eardrum
- Hearing loss, dizziness or weakness on one side of the face
- No improvement 48 to 72 hours after starting drops
This information is educational and doesn't replace an evaluation by a clinician. Hugs is not insurance. Treatment is at the discretion of the clinician and limited to what can be safely assessed over video. Reviewed by the clinicians of LPMD Medical Group. Updated 2026-09-17.