How You Can Prevent Swimmer’s Ear and Other Ear Infections That Peak During Warmer Weather

Whether you are in a pool, in the lake, swimming at the beach, or taking a shower, swimmer’s ear can strike anyone at any time and lead to a painful infection

Summers in North Carolina mean endless days at Wrightsville Beach, Jordan Lake and backyard pools. But the warm, humid climate and frequent water exposure increase the risk of otitis externa, commonly called swimmer’s ear—and other outer-ear infections. While the condition is usually treatable with prescription drops, prevention is the best approach. By understanding how swimmer’s ear develops, recognizing early warning signs and leveraging local resources from the North Carolina Division of Public Health to UNC Health pediatric clinics, you can protect your family’s ears all season.

What Is Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of the skin lining the external ear canal, from the outer rim down to the eardrum. Unlike middle-ear infections common after colds, swimmer’s ear affects the ear canal itself. Bacteria, often Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus—thrive in moist environments, but fungal and viral agents can also cause otitis externa. Symptoms include pain, itching, redness and discharge. If left untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues and become severe.

Why North Carolina’s Summers Fuel Ear Infections

High humidity and frequent water activities create the perfect breeding ground for pathogens. Whether you’re swimming in a chlorinated community pool in Charlotte or paddling a kayak on the Cape Fear River, residual moisture in the ear canal softens the protective wax barrier and allows microbes to colonize. Even heavy sweating during a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains or a long shower after gardening can trap water and disrupt skin integrity. Narrow ear canals, common in children—and minor abrasions from cotton swabs or earbuds make infection more likely.

Recognizing Early Warning Signs

Prompt recognition prevents complications. Watch for:

• Pain or itching that worsens when you tug on the outer ear (pinna).
• Redness and swelling of the ear canal and outer ear.
• Fluid or pus discharge, often foul-smelling.
• Fullness or clogged sensation in the ear, sometimes with muffled hearing.
• Tenderness when pressing on the area just in front of the ear or when chewing.

Treatment Options in North Carolina

If symptoms appear, seek care promptly. Primary care clinics, urgent-care centers and telehealth services across NC, UNC Health MyChart, Duke Virtual Visits and Novant Health—offer evaluation and ear cleansing. Providers typically prescribe medicated ear drops containing antibiotics, antifungals or steroids. In severe cases, a one-time oral antibiotic may be added. For persistent infections, ENT specialists at Wake Forest Baptist or Eastern Carolina ENT perform microscopic debridement and culture-guided therapy. Early treatment reduces pain and prevents spread to the outer ear (perichondritis) or bone (osteomyelitis).

Home Remedies and At-Home Care

Between clinic visits, you can aid healing and comfort at home:

• Keep ears dry: after swimming or showering, tilt your head and gently tug the earlobe to help water drain.
• Use over-the-counter drying drops: a mix of 50% isopropyl alcohol/50% white vinegar helps evaporate water and restore acidity.
• Apply a warm compress: a clean cloth soaked in warm water eases pain for 10–15 minutes, 2–3 times daily.
• Avoid inserting anything: cotton swabs or earbuds can worsen irritation and introduce bacteria.
• Sleep with ear elevated: prop your head on an extra pillow to reduce fluid buildup.

Preventive Measures for Water Lovers

1. Wear swim-specific earplugs: reusable silicone or moldable putty plugs fit snugly and keep water out.
2. Dry ears thoroughly: after every swim or shower, use a low-heat hair dryer held 12 inches away, on the cool setting.
3. Avoid high-bacteria waters: monitor NC Beach Water Quality Program advisories (epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/waterquality) before visiting lakes or rivers.
4. Shower after outdoor activities: rinse away chlorinated pool water or sweat to prevent skin maceration.
5. Clean hearing devices: rinse and dry hearing aids, earbuds and ear protection daily to prevent microbial buildup.
6. Protect during hair treatments: place a cotton ball lightly coated with petroleum jelly in the ear when using hairspray or hair dye.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Most cases improve within 7–10 days of treatment, but you should contact a healthcare provider if you experience:

• Severe pain unrelieved by over-the-counter analgesics.
• Swelling that blocks the ear canal entirely.
• High fever, chills or spreading redness behind the ear.
• Signs of hearing loss or persistent dizziness.
• No improvement after 48–72 hours of drops or home care.

North Carolina Resources and Contacts

• North Carolina Poison Control Center (for urgent guidance on home remedies or accidental ingestion of ear drops): 1-800-222-1222
• NC Department of Health and Human Services Epidemiology Line (for water-quality alerts and infection surveillance): 919-733-3419
• UNC Children’s ENT Clinic (pediatric ear specialists): unchealthcare.org/ear-nose-throat
• Duke University Health System (adult and pediatric ENT telehealth): dukemedicine.org/services/otorhinolaryngology
• Local County Health Departments (for swim-buoy advisories and public pool inspections): search “Your County Health Department” at ncdhhs.gov

Key Takeaways

• Swimmer’s ear arises when water and bacteria breach the ear’s natural defenses, keep ears dry and clean.
• Recognize pain, itching and discharge promptly and start treatment within 48 hours.
• Use proper ear protection, moldable plugs and drying drops—to prevent infection.
• Avoid cotton swabs and earbuds; they irritate delicate ear-canal skin.
• Leverage NC-specific resources, from poison control to ENT specialists—for rapid care.
• Follow up if symptoms worsen or fail to improve, to avoid complications.

With these proactive steps, combining prevention, early recognition and access to North Carolina’s robust healthcare network—you can keep swimmer’s ear and related infections at bay, ensuring summer fun without the pain.