Swimmer's ear

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Ear anatomy

Medical findings based on ear anatomy

Swimmer's ear

Ear infection - outer ear - acute; Otitis externa - acute

• Ear pain -- may worsen when pulling the outer ear
• Itching of the ear or ear canal
• Drainage from the ear -- yellow, yellow-green, pus-like, or foul smelling

When the doctor looks in the ear, it appears red and swollen, including the ear canal. The ear canal may appear eczema-like, with scaly shedding of skin. Touching or moving the outer ear increases the pain. The eardrum may be difficult for the doctor to see with an otoscope because of the swollen outer canal. Taking some of the ear's drainage and doing a culture on it may identify bacteria or fungus.

Review Date: 06/15/2005
Reviewed By: Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.