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Your ear pain is likely to be from an infection in the canal that leads from your visible ear toward your ear drum. This canal commonly develops irritation and infection when it is exposed to continuous moisture, so infections in this area are sometimes called "swimmer's ear." The medical term for an ear canal infection is "otitis externa."

It is also possible that your ear pain is coming from an infection in the middle ear ("otitis media").

It is advisable for you to visit with your doctor to have your ear pain evaluated. Ear infections require treatment with antibiotics.

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Online Medical Reviewer: McDonald, Thad, MD
Date Last Reviewed: 5/4/2006
Date Last Modified: 3/30/2006

Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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Symptom Checker content copyright © 2006 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell. Use of content is subject to Terms & Conditions and Medical Disclaimer. More information on Harvard Medical School's publications and services is available at http://www.health.harvard.edu.

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