Can Bath Water Cause an Ear Infection?

If your baby's ear goes underwater during bath time, or if you pour water over their ear, you might immediately wonder: Will this cause an ear infection?

The good news is that getting a little bath water in your baby's ear does not automatically mean they will develop an ear infection.

Water that stays trapped in the ear canal can create a warm, moist environment where bacteria can grow. This can lead to an infection of the outer ear canal, commonly called swimmer's ear or otitis externa. And despite the name, it doesn't only happen from swimming. Bathing can also expose the ear canal to moisture. 

So, what should you do if your baby's ear goes underwater?

You don't need to panic or try to get every drop of water out.

After the bath:

• Gently dry the outside of your baby's ear with a soft towel.
• Let any water in the ear drain naturally.
• Don't put a cotton swab, finger, or anything else inside the ear canal.

This last one is important. The skin inside the ear canal is delicate. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, irritating or injuring the ear canal, including through improper use of cotton swabs, can make a child more likely to develop swimmer's ear. Cotton swabs can also push earwax deeper into the ear, which can trap water in the canal. 

Mayo Clinic similarly recommends avoiding cotton swabs and other objects in the ear because they can irritate or damage the thin skin lining the ear canal. 

What should you watch for?

If you are wondering whether your baby has developed an infection of the outer ear, here's what you might notice: 

• Itching in or around the ear
• Ear pain or tenderness
• Pain when the outer ear is touched or moved
• Redness or swelling
• Drainage from the ear

If your baby develops these symptoms, or you are concerned about their ears, contact your baby's doctor or healthcare provider. 

The takeaway

Your baby's ear going underwater during bath time doesn't mean an ear infection is on the way.

Water can contribute to an outer-ear infection when moisture remains in the ear canal, but a little water during a normal bath is not something to panic about.

Gently dry the outside of your baby's ear, leave the inside alone, and carry on with bath time.

And, as always, if your baby develops symptoms or something doesn't seem right, check with your baby's doctor.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your baby's doctor or healthcare provider with questions or concerns about your baby's health.