While you and your kids are enjoying yourselves in the pool, lake, or ocean this summer, remember to beware of a common problem: swimmer’s ear. Don’t let this malady plague your family. Here’s how to beat and treat swimmer’s ear. 
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is a condition in which water enters and stays in the ear canal. This is the area or passageway to the eardrum. The lingering water allows bacteria to thrive, which leads to the signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear, including pain, swelling, itching, redness, hearing difficulties, and infection. Infrequently, swimmer’s ear develops when someone scratches or irritates the ear canal or gets water in the canal after a shower, so “swimmer’s ear” is not always exactly what the name implies….