Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the skin of the ear canal. There is usually a history of swimming and pain with movement of the earlobe or when the ear is touched.
Ear wax.
- Ear wax production is normal and healthy, with some people producing more wax than others.
- Color can vary from whitish to dark brown. It acts as protection for the ear canal.
- It naturally becomes pushed out, but occasionally some people produce so much that it may become impacted in the ear canal.
- If you see wax around the edge, you may remove it with a washcloth or cotton swab.
- However, never insert cotton swabs into an ear canal to clean the wax. This only packs the wax in deeper.
- Impacted wax may be painful. If your doctor does note excess ear wax production, they may ask you to use an over-the-counter wax-softening agent and then some gentle irrigation with warm water.
