The condition called otitis externa (more commonly referred to as swimmer's ear), is something that effects both the ear canal and the outer skin of the ear. While otitis media (or "inner ear infections") often include symptoms such as nasal and chest congestion, these symptoms are not present in cases of swimmer's ear. Swimmer's ear is typically caused by water that becomes lodged in the ear canal after swimming or bathing. The water may aggravate the skin of the ear canal which makes the area susceptible to fungus or bacteria and a resultant infection.

A swimmer's ear infection is just like any other infection of the skin that you might see from a scrape or other open-skin injury. No one else can catch this kind of infection. There are many over-the-counter solutions available to help prevent swimmer's ear or you can mix your own solution at home by combining equal amounts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Following swimming, you should put five to ten drops in each ear, before allowing the drops to drain out, allow them to sit in the ear for several minutes.  The alcohol portion of the treatment immediately removes moisture, and the vinegar destroys any harmful toxins.

This procedure is designed to keep your child from succumbing to a swimmer's ear infection, and not meant as a cure if an infection is already present. Another methods of avoiding swimmer's ear is to make sure your ears are completely dried if water has entered. Also, do not swim in water that is dirty, and do not insert anything into your ears.  If your children are complaining of an itchy feeling near or inside the ear, hearing loss, pain around the ear canal or when you pull the ear back, or pain along the cheek area near the ear, then they probably have swimmer's ear. If your child is experiencing pain in only one ear, this may indicate a case of swimmer's ear.

Furthermore, a greenish-yellow discharge from the ear will often be a sign of swimmer's ear. Contact your physician if you fear that swimmer's ear has infected your child, in particular when symptoms include puss coming out of the ear. If swimmer's ear remains untreated, it can sometimes increase in severity and attack the bone and cartilage which compose the canal of the ear. To ease your discomfort, you can take aspirin or place a warm washcloth over your ear.

Your physician could prescribe antibiotic-steroid drops if the child's ear canal swells, or assuming the infection becomes more serious. Such steroids ease the suffering and help the irritated skin to get well, while the antibiotic eliminates fungus or bacteria. A wick may be placed within the ear if it is severely swollen. This is a small sponge or cotton piece which allows the passage of drops through the swollen area and into the canal.

It's important to prevent your child from swimming or submerging their ears in water while bathing, as ear drop treatments typically require up to 10 days to be effective.  Keep in mind that it is very important to monitor this condition in a young person, and to keep an eye out for recurring infection, balance problems, discomfort in the ear area, or any other malady which may indicate a return of the initial problem.