In the acute infected condition, the ear needs ideally to be cleaned under the microscope (by an Ear Specialist) and topical agent applied. These are usually antibiotic, and cortisone based and in severe cases, an oral· antibiotic e.g. Ciprofloxacin is given.
Chronic narrowing (exostoses) can result in unacceptable deafness and repeated infections. If this is the case, surgery needs to be performed. The overgrowth of bone is removed using a diamond drill and water sports can normally be resumed in six to eight weeks.
Swimmer’s ear: