Swimmer’s Ear in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection or inflammation of the ear canal — the passage between the eardrum and the outer ear. In Grand Rapids, where many residents enjoy indoor pools, Lake Michigan beaches, and local water parks year-round, swimmer’s ear is a common problem, especially in children and teens.

This condition is usually triggered by:

• Water that stays in the ear canal after swimming or bathing
• Mechanical damage from over-cleaning the ears
• Chemical irritation from hair products
• Skin conditions or underlying medical issues (like diabetes)

Most cases are caused by bacteria, but fungi can also be responsible.

How the Ear Is Structured

Understanding the parts of the ear helps explain swimmer’s ear:

• Outer ear – The visible part of the ear and the ear canal; this is where swimmer’s ear occurs.
• Middle ear – An air-filled space separated from the outer ear by the eardrum; contains tiny bones that amplify sound.
• Inner ear – Converts sound waves into electrical signals for the brain and contains the vestibular system, which helps control balance and position awareness.

Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear

Swimmer’s ear symptoms can range from mild to severe. In Grand Rapids, you may notice these symptoms after swimming in Lake Michigan, the Grand River, Reeds Lake, local pools, or indoor aquatic centers during winter.

Common symptoms include:

• Ear pain (often worse when you move your head, chew, or gently pull on the outer ear)
• Itchiness in the ear canal
• Feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear
• Reduced or muffled hearing
• Foul-smelling yellow or green discharge (pus) from the ear
• Noises inside the ear, such as buzzing, humming, or crackling

If pain suddenly worsens, spreads to the face or neck, or you develop new symptoms like dizziness, that can signal a more serious problem.

Causes and Risk Factors in West Michigan

Several factors can increase your risk of swimmer’s ear in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan region:

Water Exposure

• Swimming in lakes and rivers – Dirty or polluted water (for example, after heavy rain or runoff into Lake Michigan or the Grand River) can carry bacteria into the ear canal.
• Frequent pool use – Indoor pools, popular in Grand Rapids during long winters, can still contribute to moisture in the ear canal even when well-maintained.
• Trapped moisture – A wet ear canal softens the skin and can lead to dermatitis or tiny cracks that allow germs to enter.

Mechanical Damage

• Over-cleaning the ears – Using cotton swabs, fingernails, hairpins, or earbuds to “clean” the ear canal can scratch delicate skin and disrupt the protective earwax layer.
• Inserting objects – Hearing aids, earplugs, or headphones that are not fitted or cleaned properly can irritate the ear canal.

Chemical Irritation

• Hair products – Hairsprays, shampoos, hair dyes, and gels can get into the ear canal and irritate the lining. This is common when styling hair at home or in salons if ears are not protected.

Underlying Health Conditions

• Diabetes – Common in Michigan, diabetes can change the pH of earwax (making it more alkaline), creating a more favorable environment for bacteria and fungi.
• Skin conditions – Eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis in or around the ear can increase risk.
• Folliculitis – An infected hair follicle inside the ear canal can spread and cause a more general infection.
• Narrow ear canals – Some people naturally have narrower ear canals, which makes it harder for water to drain and increases the risk of infection.

Other Ear Problems

• Middle ear infection (otitis media) – Infection in the middle ear can sometimes trigger inflammation or infection in the outer ear canal.

Serious Complication: Malignant Otitis Externa

In rare but serious cases, especially in older adults, people with diabetes, or those with weakened immune systems, swimmer’s ear can progress to malignant otitis externa. This is a severe infection that can spread to the bones and cartilage of the skull.

Why This Matters

• The infection can damage surrounding structures.
• Without treatment, it may spread to cranial nerves and even the brain.
• This condition is a medical emergency and requires urgent care, often in a hospital setting such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) in Grand Rapids, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health facilities.

Emergency Warning Signs

If you have swimmer’s ear and notice any of the following, seek immediate medical help:

• Severe, deep ear pain that worsens at night
• Dizziness, unsteadiness, or balance problems
• Muscular weakness in the face (such as drooping on one side)
• Difficulty moving facial muscles or closing one eye
• Fever or feeling very unwell
• Swelling, redness, or severe tenderness around the ear or on the face

In Grand Rapids, call your doctor, urgent care, or visit a local emergency department right away if these symptoms appear.

How Swimmer’s Ear Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

A healthcare provider (such as a primary care doctor, urgent care clinician, or ENT specialist) will usually diagnose swimmer’s ear with:

Physical Examination

• Otoscope exam – The doctor looks inside the ear canal with a lighted instrument.
• The ear canal may appear red, swollen, scaly, or peeling.
• There may be visible pus or discharge.
• The eardrum may look inflamed or swollen.

Lab Tests (When Needed)

• Microscopic examination of discharge can help determine whether the infection is bacterial or fungal.
• Culture of a swab of pus can confirm the specific organism and guide antibiotic or antifungal choice.

Imaging for Serious Cases

If malignant otitis externa or bone infection (osteomyelitis) is suspected, further tests may be ordered at Grand Rapids hospitals:

• Skull X-rays
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT) scans

These tests help determine the extent of infection and whether deeper structures are involved.

Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear

Treatment depends on the severity of the infection, the cause (bacteria vs. fungi), and whether complications are present. In Grand Rapids, treatment may be provided by your family doctor, urgent care, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.

Standard Treatments

• Thorough cleaning and drainage of the ear canal

  • A clinician gently removes debris, wax, and discharge so medicine can reach the infected area.

• Keeping the ear canal dry

  • Avoid swimming while the infection heals.
  • Use a shower cap or cotton ball (lightly coated with petroleum jelly) in the outer ear during bathing to keep water out.

• Pain relief

  • Over-the-counter pain relievers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) as recommended by your provider.
  • Warm (not hot) heat packs held against the ear may provide comfort.

• Medicated ear drops

  • Antibiotic ear drops for bacterial infections.
  • Antifungal preparations for fungal infections.
  • Steroid-based ear drops to reduce inflammation and swelling.

• Ear wick

  • A small, soft wick may be inserted into a very swollen ear canal to help deliver medicated drops close to the eardrum.

Advanced Treatments (Severe or Complicated Cases)

In more serious infections, including malignant otitis externa:

• Oral antibiotics
• Intravenous (IV) antibiotics in a hospital setting
• Lengthy treatment courses if bone infection (osteomyelitis) is present
• Surgery may be needed to drain infected bone or remove damaged tissue in severe cases

These advanced treatments are typically managed by ENT specialists and hospital teams at facilities like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or other major Grand Rapids hospitals.

Possible Complications

If swimmer’s ear is not treated properly or keeps coming back, complications can develop:

• Chronic otitis externa – Infection persists or frequently recurs, causing ongoing pain, itching, and discharge.
• Narrowing of the ear canal – Repeated infections can lead to scar tissue that narrows the canal, making water drainage more difficult and potentially affecting hearing.
• Hearing problems – Narrow ear canals and chronic inflammation can reduce hearing while the infection is active.
• Facial infection – Infection can spread through small holes in the surrounding cartilage, leading to painful facial swelling.
• Malignant otitis externa – Infection spreads to the bones and cartilage of the skull; this is dangerous and requires emergency care.

Preventing Swimmer’s Ear in Grand Rapids

Because Grand Rapids residents are active year-round—swimming in indoor pools during winter and enjoying Lake Michigan and local lakes in summer—prevention is especially important.

Water Safety and Ear Care

• Avoid swimming in dirty or polluted water

  • Check local water quality reports from the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health before swimming in lakes or rivers, especially after heavy rain.

• Wear earplugs when you swim

  • Use well-fitting, clean swimming earplugs, particularly if you are prone to infections or have narrow ear canals.

• Dry your ears thoroughly after water exposure

  • Gently towel-dry the outer ear.
  • Tilt your head to each side to help water drain out.
  • Do not insert cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal.

• Use preventive drying drops (if recommended by your doctor)

  • Many clinicians recommend a home mixture of one part rubbing alcohol and one part white vinegar:
    • Place a couple of drops in each ear after swimming, then let them drain out.
    • Do not use this if you have a perforated eardrum, ear tubes, or ear surgery history without medical advice.

Protecting the Ear Canal

• Avoid over-cleaning your ears

  • Earwax helps protect the ear canal by creating a slightly acidic, water-repellent environment.
  • Do not use cotton swabs inside the canal; clean only the outer ear.

• Keep chemicals out of the ear

  • Plug your ears with cotton balls (not pushed deep inside) when using hair spray, shampoo, hair dyes, or other chemical products.

• Avoid poking fingers or objects into your ears

  • Fingernails and other objects can cut the skin and introduce bacteria.

Managing Medical Conditions

• Control diabetes and chronic illnesses
  • Good blood sugar control can reduce the risk of severe ear infections.
• Treat skin conditions around the ears promptly (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis) with guidance from your healthcare provider.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Contact a healthcare provider if you:

• Have ear pain, itchiness, or discharge that lasts more than a day or two
• Notice reduced hearing or a feeling of fullness in the ear
• Develop fever, worsening pain, or swelling around the ear
• Have diabetes or a weakened immune system and develop any ear symptoms

You can seek help from:

• Your primary care doctor or pediatrician
• An urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids
• An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist
• Local hospital systems such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health

For public health information, water quality alerts, and community health resources, residents can also contact the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health.

Key Points About Swimmer’s Ear in Grand Rapids

• Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection or inflammation of the ear canal, usually caused by bacteria or fungi.
• It is more common with frequent water exposure, especially in lakes, rivers, and pools around Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
• People with diabetes or weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious complications, including malignant otitis externa.
• Without proper treatment, infection can cause structural damage, spread to the skull bones, and in rare cases affect the cranial nerves and brain.
• Prevention strategies include avoiding polluted water, drying ears thoroughly, using earplugs, protecting ears from chemicals, and not over-cleaning the ear canal.
• Early evaluation and treatment by a Grand Rapids healthcare provider can usually resolve swimmer’s ear quickly and prevent complications.