If you were unlucky, you also got a painful, tender ear called “swimmer’s ear” or “external otitis” because it affects the visible, outer part of the ear which contains the passage leading from the outside to the eardrum. You get swimmer’s ear when water, especially dirty water, gets into the ear canal and gets trapped behind wax in the dark, warm environment near the eardrum. The symptoms and signs of swimmer’s ear are:* Earache that worsens when the ear is touched or pulled* Redness or swelling of the outer ear or ear canal. You need to see a doctor to have the ear cleaned out and to get ear drops to treat the inflammation. By following these simple home treatment procedures, you help alleviate your child’s discomfort and reduce the risk of future cases of swimmer’s ear.