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This common condition is also called “swimmer's ear”

	An outer ear infection may be caused by water that enters your ear when you swim, and causes your outer ear canal to become inflamed. Turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org for comprehensive information about the causes of and treatments for outer ear infections.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to find out the types of ear drops that rate best for treating an outer ear infection.

We've brought together the best research about outer ear infections and weighed the evidence about how to treat it. You can use our information to talk with your doctor and decide which treatments are best for you.

Key points about outer ear infection

• Doctors call an outer ear infection otitis externa.
• Most young children get an earache from an infection of the middle ear, not an outer ear infection.
• An outer ear infection can cause your ear to hurt and feel full and itchy. This is because the skin of your outer ear canal has gotten inflamed and swollen.
• Causes of outer ear infection include water entering your outer ear during swimming, your outer ear canal getting damp in humid weather or when sweating, damage to the skin of the outer ear canal from your finger or a cotton-tipped swab, and eczema in the ear.
• The best treatment for an outer ear infection is eardrops, which your doctor can prescribe.

Research shows that the eardrops that are most likely to work contain antibiotics or steroids or aluminum acetate. Treatments that need further study include acetic acid (the chemical in vinegar) and anti-fungal ear drops, antibiotic pills and an ear cleaning by your doctor.

Most outer ear infections can be cured quickly, but some people get a chronic infection that lasts a few weeks or months. The inflammation caused by a chronic ear infection may make your ear canal too narrow, and cause difficulty in hearing. But it's rare to end up with long-term hearing problems from an outer ear infection.

We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about outer ear infection. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.