Swimmer's Ear (otitis externa)
Also known as: otitis externa, swimmer's ear, outer ear infection
Otitis externa is infection or inflammation of the ear canal — common after swimming, with itch, pain and discharge. Medical ear drops clear most cases. Chinese medicine treats wind-heat and damp-heat in the ear channel, and supports resistant or recurrent cases with local hygiene and pattern work.
Plain-English one-pager you can print or hand to a patient. Free, no sign-in needed.
Lifestyle & Diet
- •Use prescribed drops fully; keep the ear dry during healing.
- •Avoid cotton buds in the ear canal — they damage the lining.
- •Dry ears after swimming (tilt, gentle towel, hair dryer on cool).
- •See a doctor for spreading pain or fever.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Never needle or put pressure near an inflamed ear canal — no ear-canal instruments.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Review at 1–2 weeks: pain, discharge, hearing. Coordinate with the GP for persistent discharge.
Explore more diseases
Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- NHS · 2024
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- National Library of Medicine · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.