Few things end a beach day faster than a kid suddenly cupping an ear and crying. After a week of jumping waves in the Gulf and cannonballing into the pool, ear pain is one of the most common complaints I hear from families on 30A. The good news: it’s usually a very treatable problem called swimmer’s ear, and you don’t need an ER to deal with it.
Why ears hurt after a day in the water
Repeated dunking leaves moisture trapped in the ear canal. That damp, warm environment lets bacteria flourish and irritates the skin lining the canal — an outer-ear infection doctors call otitis externa, better known as swimmer’s ear. It tends to show up a day or two after heavy swimming, which is why it loves vacation week.
Swimmer’s ear or a middle-ear infection? A quick test
Here’s the trick I teach parents: gently wiggle the outer ear or press the little flap in front of the canal. If that sharply increases the pain, you’re most likely dealing with swimmer’s ear (the outer canal). A classic middle-ear infection usually follows a cold or congestion, brings deeper pain that tugging doesn’t change, and is more common in younger children. They’re treated differently, which is why getting the right read matters.
What helps right now
- Keep the ear dry — no more swimming until it’s better, and tilt the head to let trapped water drain.
- A weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the pain.
- A warm (not hot) compress against the ear for comfort.
- Do not dig in with cotton swabs — that scratches the canal and makes things worse.
When to get it looked at
Swimmer’s ear usually needs prescription ear drops to clear fully, so it’s worth a quick visit if you see pain that’s worsening, drainage from the ear, swelling or redness spreading to the outer ear, fever, or trouble hearing. Get prompt in-person care for severe swelling, a child who seems very ill, or any child with diabetes or a weakened immune system, since outer-ear infections can occasionally turn serious.
How we handle it from your rental
On a video visit I can have you show me the ear, sort swimmer’s ear from a middle-ear infection, and — when it’s appropriate — send antibiotic ear drops to a pharmacy near you, often within the hour. No sitting in a waiting room with a miserable, tired kid.
Heading off the next one
Dry the ears well after swimming, tip the head to each side to drain, and consider a towel-corner or low-heat dryer at arm’s length. Kids who get swimmer’s ear repeatedly can ask us about simple drying drops to use after the pool — with a couple of exceptions, like ear tubes or a perforated eardrum, where those aren’t safe.
Frequently asked questions
Will swimmer’s ear go away on its own?
Mild cases sometimes settle, but most clear faster and more reliably with prescription drops. Treating it also heads off the spread and the misery.
Can my child keep swimming?
Best to stay out of the water until the pain and any drainage have resolved — usually a few days with treatment.
Does it need oral antibiotics?
Usually not. Swimmer’s ear is typically treated with drops applied right where the infection is. We’ll tell you if a particular case needs more.
How do I know it isn’t something worse?
That’s exactly what a quick look on video is for — we’ll flag anything that needs hands-on care.
Ear pain cutting the trip short? Let’s fix it fast.
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This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you think your child is having an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
