Patient guide to outer ear infection

About outer ear infection

An outer ear infection is an infection of the skin in the ear canal. It can occur in one or both ears. Symptoms are itching, pain and discomfort in the ear. There may also be discharge, or pus, from the ear. Hearing may be reduced because of swelling and pus in the ear canal. An outer ear infection can develop after swimming or bathing and is also called “swimmer’s ear”.

Illustration showing changes caused by an ear canal infection

Treatment of outer ear infection

For mild symptoms, you can treat an outer ear infection by rinsing the ear yourself with diluted vinegar. More severe cases are treated with ear drops containing antibiotics and corticosteroids. We provide a prescription after assessment.

Rinsing with diluted vinegar

• Mix 3 parts clean water with 1 part household vinegar.
• The diluted vinegar must be lukewarm when you use it, as cold water can cause dizziness and make you feel unwell.
• Rinsing can be repeated after 2–3 days.
• If rinsing the ear does not relieve your symptoms, contact us again.

Note: If you have a hole in your eardrum, you must not rinse the ear yourself.

Ear drops

• Follow our instructions for using the ear drops. These are also on the medicine box.
• If the ear drops do not work within a few days, contact us again.
• Read the patient information leaflet, and contact us if you suspect serious side effects.
• Always complete the full course of treatment, even if the symptoms go away during it.

Follow-up

• Contact us if your treatment does not work within 2–3 days.

Preventing outer ear infection

• Avoid picking, scratching or cleaning the ear canal yourself with cotton buds or other objects.
• Avoid using earplugs, AirPods or similar products.
• Avoid moisture in an itchy ear. Keep water out of the ear when bathing and avoid swimming until the condition is under control.
• If you swim or dive frequently and are prone to outer ear infections, you can try preventive rinsing with diluted vinegar as described above, for example once a week. You can also try special earplugs designed for swimmers.

Clinically updated 12 January 2026