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Question:

What’s the difference between an ear infection and swimmer’s ear?

 

Answer: 

Regarding ear infections, the key is to distinguish where the infection is actually located. 

 

Swimmer’s ear is a type of ear infection.  It’s an infection of the external portion of the ear canal.  This includes everything up to the ear drum (tympanic membrane.)  Swimmer’s ear gets this name because it frequently occurs after exposure to water.  Too much or too little ear wax can lead to an infection of this type.  It is classically identified by having pain when the external ear is moved.  The medical term for swimmer’s ear is acute otitis externa and it is frequently treated with topical ear drops.

 

An ear infection is a more general term and often refers to a middle ear infection, or acute otitis media.  This occurs when the infection is actually behind the ear drum.  This is frequently treated with oral antibiotics and nasal sprays to help drain the middle ear down through the Eustachian Tube into the back of the nasal cavity. 

 

The story gets complicated when there are ear tubes or holes in the ear drum, which allow the fluid to drain from the middle ear out to the external ear canal.  Your healthcare provider can help guide your treatment in these scenarios.      

 

 

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Bryan Smedley, D.O.

Ear, Nose & Throat Care

Utica Park Clinic – Owasso 

10512 N. 110th East Ave., Suite 220

Owasso, OK  74055

918.376.8830

UticaParkClinic.com/Bryan-Smedley-DO