Swimmer’s ear after snorkelling: symptoms, care and prevention

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal. It often starts when water stays in the ear after swimming or snorkelling. Keep the ear dry and do not use cotton buds. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease the pain if they suit you. See a doctor if your ear hurts or leaks fluid, because you may need prescription ear drops.

Swimmer’s ear symptoms

Swimmer’s ear is also called acute otitis externa. It affects the ear canal, the tube between the outer ear and the eardrum. Symptoms are often mild at first but can get worse without treatment.

Signs include:

• itching inside the ear
• pain when you pull the outer ear, or press the small bump in front of the ear canal
• redness and swelling in the ear (redness can be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• fluid or pus coming out of the ear
• a full or blocked feeling, and muffled hearing

In advanced cases, the pain can spread to the face, neck or side of the head. You may also have a fever or swollen glands in the neck.

Why snorkelling raises the risk

Water that stays in the ear canal wears down its protective wax and skin, and bacteria multiply in the damp. Cotton buds, hairpins or fingernails can scratch the skin and let bacteria in. Earbuds, hearing aids and eczema also raise the risk.

Swimmer’s ear or ear pain after diving?

Ear pain after a dive is often a different problem: ear barotrauma, also called “ear squeeze”. It is the most common injury in divers. It happens when the pressure in the middle ear does not equalise as you go down.

Ear barotrauma can cause:

• pain that starts as you go down
• muffled hearing, or a feeling of fullness or water in the ear
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• dizziness or a spinning feeling (vertigo)

Swimmer’s ear usually itches, and pulling the outer ear makes it hurt more. If you think you have ear barotrauma, stop diving and see a doctor. Read more in our guide to diving and your ears.

What helps swimmer’s ear

Keep the ear dry. Do not swim, snorkel or dive until it has healed. In the shower, protect the ear with cotton wool coated in petroleum jelly.

Ease the pain. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. Follow the leaflet. Ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone, for example people with asthma, a stomach ulcer, or heart, liver or kidney problems. A warm flannel held on the ear may also help.

Leave the ear canal alone. Wipe any discharge from the outer ear with cotton wool, but put nothing inside the ear.

Take out earplugs and earbuds. Do not wear them, or a hearing aid, until the pain and discharge stop.

Get it checked. Mayo Clinic advises seeing a doctor even for mild symptoms. Quick treatment helps prevent complications.

When ear drops need a doctor

Swimmer’s ear is usually treated with ear drops. Depending on the cause, they may contain:

• an acid, to help restore the ear’s natural defences
• a steroid, to reduce swelling and irritation
• an antibiotic, to fight bacteria
• an antifungal medicine, if a fungus is the cause

Ear drops with an antibiotic or a steroid need a doctor’s prescription. The doctor first looks into your ear to check that the eardrum is not torn or damaged. A severe infection may need antibiotic tablets. Follow the doctor’s instructions and the leaflet. Drops may not work if they are not used correctly.

What not to do

• Do not put cotton buds, fingers, hairpins or anything else in your ear.
• Do not try to remove earwax. It helps protect the ear canal from infection.
• Do not take allergy tablets, such as Claritine (loratadine), or decongestants for an ear infection. The NHS says there is no evidence they help.

What you can buy at the pharmacy

Products that can help:

• Painkillers, such as paracetamol (Adol) or ibuprofen.
• Ear drops for outer ear problems. Ask our pharmacist whether a non-prescription product suits you, or whether you need a doctor.
• Earplugs and swimming caps, to keep water out next time. Ask us what is in stock today.

How to prevent swimmer’s ear

• Keep water out. Wear a swimming cap, earplugs or custom-fitted swim moulds when you swim.
• Dry your ears after every swim. Tilt your head so each ear faces down, and gently pull the earlobe to help the water drain. Then dry the outer ear with a towel.
• Use a hairdryer if water stays in. Choose the lowest heat and speed, and hold it at least 30 cm from your ear.
• Ask before using ear-drying drops. Do not use them if you have ear tubes, a damaged eardrum, an ear infection or discharge.

Children, pregnancy and older people

Children. Swimmer’s ear is more common in children than in adults. A young child with ear pain may rub or pull their ear, be irritable or not react to some sounds. Children under 16 should not take aspirin. Ask our pharmacist which painkiller and strength suits your child. See a doctor if a baby under 12 months may have an ear infection.

Pregnancy. Paracetamol is usually the preferred painkiller in pregnancy. Avoid ibuprofen unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before you use any ear drops.

Older people and long-term conditions. Rarely, swimmer’s ear spreads to the cartilage and bone around the ear. Being older, or having diabetes or a weak immune system, raises this risk. See a doctor early rather than waiting for it to clear.

When to get urgent help

Need help in Sharm?

Our Russian-speaking pharmacists also speak English, Ukrainian and Italian, so you can describe your symptoms clearly. Message us on WhatsApp or call +20 120 344 2201 for painkillers, earplugs or advice. If you need a doctor, read how to choose a pharmacy, doctor or hospital in Sharm. We have 5 pharmacies across Sharm El Sheikh, and we offer free hotel delivery on orders from $30.