Is It Normal To Have Smelly Ear In Child Who Had Swimmers Ear That Turned Into Ear Infection?

Posted on Fri, 13 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 13 Dec 2013 Answered on

Thu, 2 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, my 11 yr. old son started with swimmers ear and hen it shifted into an ear infection...it no longer hurts...he has been on amoxycillon for a week but his ear smells like infection (kind of yeasty)...is that common? and should i clean it with anything? we haven't put anything in ear for 5 days. thanks,XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer: best not to put any thing into the inner ear Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic If there is any discharge in the outer then you ear then you can remove it with clean cotton wool or a clean clothe, it is best however not to push any objects pass this point. This is not advised under any circumstances because of the risk of introducing an infection into the ear or perforating an ear drum but would be particularly inadvisable now with a history of infection there is an increase risk of causing damage because of inflammation. Normally, if the infection has resolved, there should not be an odour. It would actually be best to re visit his doctor for re assessment. He or she may then consider a swab of the ear to determine if there is a repeat infection or if the initial infection did not respond to the antibiotics. This can sometimes occur if the bacteria is resistant to the antibiotics used. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar