SUNDAY, June 4, 2006 (HealthDay News) -- Antiseptic or antibiotic ear drops should be front-line treatment for swimmer's ear, and doctors should use restraint in using oral antibiotics for the common condition.
So conclude the first-ever U.S. national treatment guidelines, which were crafted by a panel of experts from multiple disciplines, including otolaryngology, pediatrics and infectious diseases.
Swimmer's ear is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal. It's often caused by water becoming trapped in the ear during swimming, showering or bathing. It can also be caused by cleaning or scratching the ear and skin conditions such as psoriasis or acne.
Symptoms can include redness and swelling, itching, mild to moderate ear pain, or a feeling that the ears are blocked. There may also be fever, pus drainage, decreased hearing, swollen lymph nodes and radiating pain.
The expert panel developed the guidelines after they reviewed thousands of articles and studies dating back to the 1960s. Their findings and recommendations include:
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about swimmer's ear.