Swimmer’s Ear Treatment Available Daily at Our Urgent Care Location in Marmora, NJ
Ear infections can be painful and scary, and when they happen while you’re on vacation, they can be especially disruptive. Swimmer’s ear is a common type of ear infection that can affect both adults and children, and it’s especially prevalent in the Marmora, New Jersey, area during the summer, when so many people hit the beaches or spend hours in their backyard pools.
Fortunately, Cape Regional Urgent Care’s walk-in clinic in Marmora is open during extended hours every day of the week to treat a broad spectrum of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, including swimmer’s ear. We treat patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, and our wait times are short. If you or your child needs treatment for swimmer’s ear, you can feel confident turning to our friendly, board-certified physicians for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
How to Recognize Swimmer’s Ear
Unlike the more common type of ear infection that is often caused by colds or flu, the condition known as swimmer’s ear results from a bacterial or fungal infection of the outer ear canal. This type of infection is frequently caused by prolonged exposure to water in the ear, which wears away the protective waxy barrier and softens the skin. This makes the outer ear canal more susceptible to infection. However, water in the ear isn’t always the culprit. Abrasions caused by scratching the ear or using cotton-tipped ear swabs can also cause an outer ear infection.
Swimmer’s ear symptoms typically include:
- Pain and redness in the outer ear
- Tender or enlarged lymph nodes
- A yellowish discharge, sometimes thick enough to affect hearing
When to Seek Swimmer’s Ear Treatment
Swimmer’s ear often responds well to over-the-counter medications. However, it’s important that a person with swimmer’s ear stay out of the water until symptoms subside. If you want to confirm your diagnosis and feel better faster, or your child is persistently poking at her or his painful ear, you may wish to seek swimmer’s ear treatment at Cape Regional Urgent Care in Marmora. Contact us today if you have questions.
