Ear Canal Infection (Otitis Externa) — What It Feels Like and What to Do
Ear canal infections, often called otitis externa or "swimmer's ear," hit the outer ear and can be painful and annoying. You may get sharp ear pain, intense itching, drainage, or muffled hearing. Most cases are caused by trapped water or small skin injuries that let bacteria or fungi grow. The good news: many infections clear fast with targeted care.
Common symptoms and causes
Symptoms usually start with itching, then progress to pain when you pull the outer ear or chew. Other signs: yellow or green drainage, swelling of the ear canal, reduced hearing, and sometimes a bit of fever. Common triggers are swimming, using cotton swabs or hairpins that scratch the skin, eczema or psoriasis in the ear, and prolonged use of earbuds or hearing aids. Bacteria like Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus are frequent culprits; fungi cause some stubborn cases.
Quick home care steps
If the eardrum is intact and symptoms are mild, try these steps: keep the ear dry, avoid inserting anything into the ear, and use over-the-counter pain relievers for discomfort. Tilting your head to help drain fluid and applying a warm compress can reduce pain. A simple 50/50 mix of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol can help dry the ear and restore its normal acidity — but don’t use this if you suspect a perforated eardrum or if you have ear tubes. If you wear hearing aids or earbuds, stop using them until the ear improves.
If you feel severe pain, see swelling outside the ear, or the infection follows a skin injury, seek medical care. Also get help fast if you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or if symptoms don’t improve in 48–72 hours. For kids, redness or pulling at the ear, fever, and fussiness are signs to call the doctor sooner.
At the clinic, your provider will look inside the ear with an otoscope. Treatment often means prescription ear drops that combine an antibiotic and a steroid to calm inflammation and kill germs. For fungal cases, antifungal drops are used. If the canal is swollen and full of debris, the clinician may gently clean it — that helps drops reach the infected skin. Rarely, oral antibiotics are needed if the infection spreads beyond the canal.
Avoid common mistakes: don’t keep using cotton swabs, don’t pour unknown solutions into the ear, and don’t delay care when symptoms are severe. To prevent repeat infections, dry ears after water exposure (use a towel or a hair dryer on low, held at a distance), use earplugs when swimming, and treat underlying skin conditions like eczema.
If you’re unsure what’s happening, asking a healthcare provider is the fastest way to avoid complications. Most people recover in a week with proper care, so quick, simple steps often stop the problem before it gets worse.
