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Summer Swimmer and Surfer’s Ear

07/12/2019

The difference between Surfer’s Ear and Swimmer’s Ear…

Surfer’s Ear

Surfer’s Ear involves bone growth in the outer ear canal. An ear canal with exostoses – bony outgrowths of the external auditory canal – can diminish that space dramatically. In the worst cases, they can close the canal completely along with a handful of other serious problems like hearing loss.

 

Swimmer’s Ear

Affecting the outer ear, swimmer’s ear is a condition causing pain resulting from inflammation, irritation or infection. These symptoms are experienced when water gets trapped in your ear allowing bacteria to spread, causing a painful sensation. Because this condition commonly affects swimmers it is known as swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear affects mostly children and teenagers but can also affect those with eczema or excess earwax. The most common symptoms of swimmer’s ear are an itchy ear and mild to moderate pain that gets worse when you tug on the auricle (earlobe).

Other signs and symptoms may include any of the following:

• Sensation that the ear is blocked or full
• Drainage
• Fever
• Decreased hearing
• Intense pain that may radiate to the neck, face, or side of the head
• The earlobe may appear to be pushed forward or away from the skull
• Swollen lymph nodes (located in your neck)
• Redness and swelling of the skin around the ear

Questions? Call Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat today at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat to schedule an appointment as soon as possible! 732-280-7855.