Swimmers ear is a common condition. It is also referred to as otitis externa. Typically it occurs because of water getting into the ear canal and starting a mild inflammatory reaction that can also become infected.

It often is chronic and recurrent in its nature and requires good ear hygeine and often ENT intervention in the form of microsuction and eardrops. Patients can make things worse by trying to clean their ears with cotton buds or their fingers which can scratch the ear canal and lead to further infection.

It is imperative to follow the instructions given by your ENT surgeon when suffering with swimmers ear:

Keep the ears dry, no swimming

Do not put anything in your ears other than drops prescribed (NO cotton buds or fingers)

Cotton wool with vaseline when having a shower

This condition is well treated but typically comes back when advice is not followed.