Symptoms

Symptoms of Otitis Externa

Symptoms of otitis externa (swimmer’s ear) may be mild at first, but pain and inflammation will increase unless the infection is treated.

Early symptoms include:

• Redness in the ear canal
• Discomfort when pressing on the outer ear
• Itching
• Drainage of clear fluid

As the infection progresses, you may notice:

• Increased pain
• Redness and swelling of the ear canal and outer ear
• Drainage of yellow or yellow-green pus
• Feeling of ears being plugged
• Difficulty hearing
• Fever
• Swollen lymph glands in the neck