Swimmer's ear - otitis externa - is the outer ear canal infection produced when water trapped after swimming creates a warm, moist environment in which bacteria, most commonly Pseudomonas, thrive. In Goa, where sea and pool swimming are part of daily life across a large proportion of the population, otitis externa is one of the most frequent ENT presentations I see at my Margao center. Symptoms are distinctive: ear pain, particularly on pulling the outer ear or pressing the tragus, ear discharge, and a sense of blockage or muffled hearing - without the fever that typically accompanies middle ear infection. The most important prevention measures are keeping the ear canal dry after swimming, tilting the head to each side after water exposure to allow water to drain, and avoiding cotton buds - which push debris deeper into the canal, damage the protective skin lining, and increase infection risk significantly. Patients who swim frequently benefit from prophylactic acidifying ear drops - a dilute acetic acid solution - applied after swimming to maintain the mildly acidic ear canal environment that inhibits bacterial growth. When otitis externa is already established, treatment with topical antibiotic and steroid ear drops resolves the infection in most cases, with oral antibiotics reserved for severe infections or patients with risk factors. If you are a regular swimmer in Goa, a single ENT consultation establishes the best ear care routine for your swimming habit.
Written by Dr. Nivedeeta Pereira, DLO (Diploma in Otorhinolaryngology/ENT), AASC (Advanced Allergy and Asthma Specialist Course), AAAIC (Advanced Allergy and Asthma in Clinical Immunology), ENT Specialist and Allergy, Asthma and Upper Airway Care, Dr. Nivedeeta's ENT and Allergy Center, Margao, Goa. 11 years, 10,000+ patients. Phone: 8007048189.
