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Are there any over-the-counter treatments for swimmer's ear?

Swimmer's ear, also called otitis externa, is an inflammation of the ear canal. It's often caused by bacteria or fungi growing in the moist area of the outer ear. Frequent showering or swimming (especially in polluted water) can make you more prone to swimmer's ear. Also, any type of injury to the ear canal can make it swell and trap extra moisture, giving the bacteria or fungi a place to grow. The symptoms include itching, pain, discharge from the ear, and a feeling of water in the ears.

Swimmer's ear requires treatment by a physician. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear up the infection, or ear drops containing corticosteriods to reduce swelling. Once the infection is gone, you can use an over-the-counter ear-drying agent or ear-canal acidifier to keep it from coming back.

Ear-drying agents, such as Auro-Dri or >Swim Ear, typically contain isopropyl alcohol, which evaporates and takes the excess moisture out of the ear. Star-Otic is another over-the-counter product used for swimmer’s ear. It contains acetic acid (household vinegar) and aluminum acetate solutions. These ingredients can reduce symptoms of swelling and itching. They also have a drying effect and can help to remove excess moisture.

Sources:
The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition. Merck & Co., 1999.
Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, 2000.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
DiPiro, Pharmacotherapy A Pathophysiologic Approach. Appleton & Lange, 1999.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2006.

This answer prepared 8/02/2001.
This information updated 12/6/2006.