Swimmer's Ear: Causes, Treatments, and What Works Best

When water gets trapped in your ear after swimming, it doesn’t just feel uncomfortable—it can lead to swimmer's ear, a bacterial infection of the outer ear canal also known as otitis externa. Also known as otitis externa, it’s not just a summer problem—it happens anytime moisture lingers, especially in warm, humid climates or after showering. Unlike middle ear infections, swimmer's ear affects the skin lining the ear canal, causing swelling, itching, pain when tugging the earlobe, and sometimes pus or fluid drainage.

This condition often starts with a tiny scratch or irritation from cotton swabs, earbuds, or even fingernails. Once the skin is broken, bacteria like Pseudomonas or Staphylococcus move in. It’s not contagious, but it spreads easily in shared pools, hot tubs, or even damp towels. Cefprozil, an oral antibiotic used for ear infections including otitis media, is sometimes prescribed if the infection is severe or spreading. But for most cases, ear drops, topical treatments that combine antibiotics and steroids to reduce swelling and kill bacteria are the first-line fix. They work faster, target the infection directly, and avoid side effects from pills.

What you don’t see in ads is how often people delay treatment because they think it’s just wax or a bad case of "water in the ear." But if your ear hurts when you chew, your hearing muffled, or you feel feverish, it’s not going away on its own. The good news? Most cases clear up in 7–10 days with the right drops. Prevention is easier than you think: dry your ears with a towel after swimming, tilt your head to drain water, or use a few drops of a vinegar-alcohol mix to keep the canal dry.

You’ll find real-world advice here—not guesses, not marketing. We’ve gathered guides from people who’ve been there: how to tell swimmer's ear from a middle ear infection, why some ear drops work better than others, what to avoid (yes, even cotton swabs), and when oral antibiotics like cefprozil are actually needed. Whether you’re a parent dealing with a child’s ear pain, an athlete who swims daily, or just someone tired of recurring ear issues, the posts below give you clear, no-fluff answers.