Ryan McFarland

In the summer of 1994 i had an ear ache develop and a scab started to develop on my right earlobe and the bottom of the opening to my ear. This was just before going to Denali for a 6 day wilderness backpacking trip. I was in Anchorage and we were getting on the train in the morning. The scab was growing and the ear ache was starting to worry me so i went to the emergency room. A nurse checking me in found the symptoms curious. The doctor called it “swimmer’s ear” and prescribed antibiotic pills and an ointment. While leaving the nurse asked what he said it was and she said she didn’t think it was swimmers ear but that the antibiotics that he prescribed would probably take care of it. So at 11 PM i now needed to have those prescriptions filled. Fortunately there was a 24 hour pharmacy not far away. The scab eventually went away and the ache did too.

About a year later i got the same symptoms. The only thing that i could figure out that was the same was that i had worn a fleece hat with earflaps both times.

A few years later it happened again. This time i was back in NY so went to a physician there. He seemed intrigued and told me to return as soon as possible if it ever reappeared. He said he suspected it was a virus but would have liked to have done tests.

A few days ago - a good 8 years later - my right ear became irritated. It has constantly felt hot and there has been an ear ache developing. The ear lobe and bottom of the ear opening are tender and sore along with a slight itchiness.

It has always been my right ear. I use my left ear when on the phone. I have not been in a pool (or had my head submerged) since our trip to Arizona in early July. I am at the clinic having it looked at right now.

[Update] The doctor i saw diagnosed it as impetigo - a bacterial skin infection.   She prescribed an antibacterial ointment.