Q. How can swimming affect my ears?

A. Bacteria can usually be found lodged on the skin lining the ear canal. When this skin gets broken or becomes inflamed due to varying causes and reasons, bacteria quickly invade the broken skin, causing an infection. It is due to this reason that swimming in chlorinated pools increases your risk of getting swimmer's ear (otitis externa).

The chemicals found in chlorinated water are effective in purifying your pool but they don't kill the bacteria that lodge in your ear canal. Instead, they soften and wrinkle the skin lining the canal, leaving it vulnerable to the slightest infection. This infection is more prevalent in school children and swimmers due to their increased exposure to chlorinated water.

Q. Symptoms of swimmer's ear

A. The following is what swimming does to your ears. When you swim in chlorinated water, you're most likely to suffer the following symptoms:

• Pain around and in the ear
• Swelling of the ear canal
• Ear fullness and heaviness
• Ear discharge
• Decreased hearing
• Swollen pinna
• Ear blockage
• Intense pain, especially when chewing
• Pain that extends to the neck area

Q. What is the ear canal?

A. The ear canal is the tubular opening that serves to collect sound from the external environment and passes it through the eardrum in to the middle ear. The ear canal is a perfect place for bacteria to lodge and thrive. Any bacteria may invade the ear causing swimmer's ear.

Q. Other causes of swimmer's ear

A. Besides chlorinated water, there are various other factors that may predispose a person to or mimic swimmer's ear, these include:

• Increased moisture in the ear canal
• Hair sprays
• Inappropriate earwax removal
• Inserting foreign objects such as cotton swabs into the ear
• Excessive dryness in the ear canal
• Head injuries
• Tumors

An ear is among the most sensitive human organs found in our bodies, if you or your child experiences any ear problems, you should consult your health practitioner immediately.