Swimmer’s Ear and Swimmer’s Itch: What Southwest Michigan Parents Should Know
From ear pain after pool time to itchy rashes after a lake day, swimmer’s ear and swimmer’s itch are two common summer conditions that can affect children across Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Paw Paw, South Haven and throughout Southwest Michigan.
Common summer water-related conditions in kids
During the summer months, many families in Kalamazoo and across Southwest Michigan spend time at pools, splash pads, inland lakes and Lake Michigan beaches. While water activities are a great way to stay active, they can sometimes lead to issues such as swimmer’s ear and swimmer’s itch.
Although these conditions are both linked to water exposure, they are very different. Swimmer’s ear is an infection in the ear canal. Swimmer’s itch is a skin rash that can develop after swimming in certain bodies of water.
What is swimmer’s ear?
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal. It often causes ear pain, tenderness and inflammation. Children may complain that their ear hurts when touched, feels itchy or seems plugged.
This condition is different from a middle ear infection. Swimmer’s ear affects the skin inside the ear canal and is commonly associated with swimming and moisture exposure.
How swimmer’s ear develops
Water moving in and out of the ear canal can wash away protective ear wax and change the environment inside the ear. That makes it easier for bacteria to grow. In less common cases, yeast can also be involved.
Kids who swim often, spend a lot of time underwater or have irritated ear canals may be more likely to develop swimmer’s ear. Using cotton swabs inside the ear can also irritate the skin and make infection more likely.
How swimmer’s ear is treated
Swimmer’s ear is usually treated with antibiotic ear drops. These drops help clear the infection and reduce inflammation inside the ear canal.
In some cases, the ear canal becomes so swollen that drops cannot reach deep enough into the canal. When that happens, a healthcare provider may place a wick in the ear to help the medication get where it needs to go until the swelling improves.
How to help prevent swimmer’s ear
If your child gets swimmer’s ear often, it helps to keep the ear canals as dry as possible after swimming and bathing.
Tips for prevention
- Dry ears gently after swimming.
- Consider ear plugs or swim molds for children with recurrent infections.
- Use commercial ear-drying drops after swimming if recommended by your child’s provider.
- Some families use a homemade 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol after swimming. Do not use these drops if your child has ear tubes or if you think there may be a hole in the eardrum.
- Avoid putting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal.
What is swimmer’s itch?
Swimmer’s itch is a rash that can appear after swimming or wading in certain lakes and other natural bodies of water. It is not the same thing as an infection from pool water, and it does not mean the water looked dirty.
The rash is caused by a reaction to microscopic parasites that normally live in birds such as ducks and geese. These organisms can get into the skin during swimming, but they cannot survive in humans. Once they die in the skin, the body reacts and an itchy rash can develop.
Families in Southwest Michigan may hear about swimmer’s itch during the summer, especially around inland lakes. Before heading out for a beach or lake day, it can be helpful to check local and state water condition resources.
Symptoms of swimmer’s itch
Swimmer’s itch usually shows up as an itchy, red, raised rash after time in the water. The rash may last for two to three weeks.
It can be frustrating, especially for children, but symptoms are typically limited to the skin.
How to relieve swimmer’s itch
Treatment focuses on symptom relief. You may be able to ease itching with antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and with topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone, if appropriate for your child.
Because the rash can linger, patience is important. Try to keep your child from scratching, since irritated skin can become more uncomfortable over time.
Water safety tips for Southwest Michigan families
Whether your family is spending the day at a neighborhood pool, a Kalamazoo-area splash pad, an inland lake or along the Lake Michigan shoreline near South Haven, taking a few precautions can help lower the risk of irritation, rash and infection.
- Shower or rinse off after swimming when possible.
- Dry ears and skin well after getting out of the water.
- Avoid swimming with open skin irritation if possible.
- Check local beach and water condition updates before visiting lakes.
- Pay attention to public notices related to water quality or swimmer’s itch concerns.
When to seek care
Contact your child’s healthcare provider if your child has significant ear pain, ear swelling, drainage from the ear, worsening symptoms or a rash that is severe, spreading or not improving.
If your child needs prompt evaluation, Bronson offers pediatric and walk-in care options across Southwest Michigan.
Learn more
For additional parent-friendly information on swimmer’s ear and swimmer’s itch, HealthyChildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics offers helpful guidance.
