Common Causes of Swollen Ear Canal
Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is a bacterial infection that affects the auditory canal. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the two most common strains that lead to this condition. It may occur when the inside of your year is too moist, forming an ideal environment for these microorganisms to develop. Certain risk factors include frequently swimming, using a hearing aid, narrow ear canals, living in humid environments, ear trauma, or using earbud earphones. A swimmer’s ear can be acute, which lasts no more than 6 weeks, or chronic, which persists for more than 3 months. It is estimated that up to 95 percent of reported cases are acute. The condition is most common in people between 7 and 14 years old, but it would affect any age group. [2]
