Swimmer’s Ear in Kids: A Common Florida Problem

In Florida, swimming isn’t seasonal — it’s year-round.

Pools. Beaches. Water parks. Backyard splash pads.
For many kids, especially in warmer months (which in Florida feels like most of the year), water exposure is constant.

And with that comes one of the most common warm-climate pediatric complaints:

Ear pain after swimming.

If your child starts tugging at their ear after a pool day or complains that their ear hurts when touched, swimmer’s ear may be the cause.

Here’s what Florida parents should know — and how swimmer’s ear is different from a traditional ear infection.

What Is Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear is a skin infection of the outer ear canal, medically called otitis externa.

It happens when moisture gets trapped inside the ear canal. That warm, damp environment makes it easier for bacteria to grow.

This is different from a middle ear infection (otitis media), which occurs behind the eardrum and is usually caused by respiratory viruses or bacteria.

In Florida’s humid climate — with frequent swimming — swimmer’s ear is especially common.

Why Swimmer’s Ear Is So Common in Florida

Florida creates the perfect conditions for swimmer’s ear:

• Year-round pool use
• Frequent beach exposure
• High humidity
• Water parks and splash pads
• Summer camps with daily swimming

Moisture that remains in the ear canal after swimming can irritate the skin and allow bacteria to enter.

Children are particularly prone to this because:

• Their ear canals are narrower
• They swim more frequently
• They may use earbuds or scratch their ears

Swimmer’s Ear vs. Middle Ear Infection: How to Tell the Difference

Because both conditions cause ear pain, it’s important to distinguish them.

Signs of Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)

• Pain when the outer ear is touched or pulled
• Pain when pressing on the small flap in front of the ear (tragus)
• Redness or swelling in the ear canal
• Drainage from the ear
• Itching inside the ear
• Pain that worsens with chewing

Signs of a Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)

• Ear pain without outer ear tenderness
• Fever
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping
• Symptoms following a cold
• Pressure behind the eardrum

In your existing ear infection guide, middle ear infections are discussed as infections behind the eardrum — often related to respiratory illness. Swimmer’s ear is different because it involves the outer canal and is frequently triggered by moisture exposure.

If you’re unsure which type your child may have, a pediatric clinician can help determine next steps.

What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear typically develops when:

• Water remains trapped in the ear canal
• The ear canal skin becomes irritated
• Bacteria multiply in the moist environment

Common triggers include:

• Frequent swimming
• Using cotton swabs inside the ear
• Scratching the ear canal
• Earbuds or hearing devices trapping moisture

Contrary to popular belief, swimmer’s ear is not caused by “dirty water” alone — it’s primarily about trapped moisture and skin irritation.

How Is Swimmer’s Ear Treated?

Unlike most middle ear infections, swimmer’s ear is usually treated with prescription antibiotic ear drops, not oral antibiotics.

Treatment may include:

• Antibiotic ear drops
• Combination antibiotic/steroid drops to reduce swelling
• Pain management with acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Keeping the ear dry during recovery

Oral antibiotics are typically not necessary unless the infection has spread beyond the ear canal.

Symptoms usually improve within 48–72 hours after starting drops.

When to Seek Medical Care for Swimmer’s Ear in Florida

Contact a pediatric clinician if your child has:

• Moderate to severe ear pain
• Visible drainage
• Swelling of the outer ear
• Pain that worsens over 24–48 hours
• Fever
• Symptoms that do not improve

Swimmer’s ear can often be evaluated quickly, and treatment started promptly to prevent worsening discomfort.

If your child has severe swelling, spreading redness, or appears significantly ill, seek in-person care.

Can Swimmer’s Ear Be Treated Virtually?

In many cases, yes.

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) can often be evaluated virtually when symptoms are clear — especially if your child has ear pain after swimming and tenderness when the outer ear is touched.

For the most accurate assessment, Poppins partners with Remmie Health to offer families access to the Remmie 4 digital otoscope, an FDA-registered device that allows you to securely share high-quality photos or videos of your child’s ear canal and eardrum with our clinicians.

The Remmie 4:

• Is FDA-registered
• Connects directly to your phone
• Allows clinicians to better distinguish between swimmer’s ear and middle ear infections
• Helps guide the right treatment plan

The retail price is $149, but Poppins members can purchase it from the Company’s website for $90 (40% off) using code Poppins40 at checkout. HSA and FSA funds can also be used.

If your child’s symptoms are consistent with swimmer’s ear and visual confirmation is helpful, our clinicians can review the images and prescribe antibiotic ear drops when clinically appropriate.

If visualization suggests a different type of ear infection — or if swelling is severe — you’ll be directed to the appropriate in-person care setting.

How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear in Kids

Florida parents can reduce risk with simple steps:

• Dry ears thoroughly after swimming
• Tilt the head side-to-side to help water drain
• Avoid inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal
• Consider well-fitted swim ear plugs for frequent swimmers
• Change out of wet swimwear promptly

Some clinicians recommend preventive drying drops after swimming for children with frequent infections, but always check with your pediatric clinician first.

When It’s Not Swimmer’s Ear

If ear pain is accompanied by:

• Fever
• Recent cold symptoms
• No tenderness when touching the outer ear

A middle ear infection may be more likely.

Your ear infection guide explains how middle ear infections develop behind the eardrum and are often related to congestion and pressure changes — very different from moisture-related outer ear infections.

FAQs: Swimmer’s Ear in Kids in Florida

Is swimmer’s ear common in Florida?

Yes. Year-round swimming and humid weather make swimmer’s ear more common in Florida compared to colder climates.

Does swimmer’s ear require antibiotics?

Most cases require prescription antibiotic ear drops. Oral antibiotics are usually not necessary unless the infection spreads.

Can my child keep swimming with swimmer’s ear?

No. It’s important to keep the ear dry until symptoms fully resolve.

How long does swimmer’s ear last?

With treatment, symptoms often improve within 2–3 days. Full resolution may take about a week.

How do I know if it’s swimmer’s ear or a middle ear infection?

Pain when touching or pulling the outer ear suggests swimmer’s ear. Fever and cold symptoms suggest a middle ear infection.

The Bottom Line for Florida Parents

In Florida, swimming is part of childhood — and so is the occasional ear infection.

Swimmer’s ear is common, uncomfortable, and usually very treatable.

Knowing the difference between outer ear infections and middle ear infections helps you choose the right level of care quickly.

When in doubt, early evaluation — whether virtually or in person — can get your child comfortable and back in the water sooner.