Swimmer's ear guide

Swimmer's ear treatment online in Virginia and West Virginia

This guide is for classic swimmer's ear (otitis externa) - outer-ear-canal pain, itch, or discharge, often after water, with pain when you tug the ear - not for fever, swelling behind or around the ear, severe pain, a middle-ear infection, or ear pain in someone with diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Start online

Start a $59 online review for Swimmer's ear.

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is an infection or inflammation of the outer ear canal, often after water exposure, causing canal pain, itch, fullness, or discharge, classically with pain when you tug or push on the outer ear. It is frequently a good online condition when the picture is typical. It is NOT the same as a middle-ear infection (behind the eardrum), which needs an in-person ear exam; fever, swelling behind or around the ear, or severe ear pain in a diabetic or immunocompromised person are red flags.

If treatment is appropriate, your physician can send a non-controlled prescription to your pharmacy and provide portal instructions for the next step.

Start this visit See response windows

Quick facts

You must be physically in Virginia and West Virginia at the time of request
Starts at $59
No insurance needed
No app download
Physician review around the clock
Non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
Response windows: 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

Ear-canal itch, pain, or fullness
Pain when the outer ear is tugged or pushed
Clear or cloudy discharge from the ear
Often after swimming or water exposure

May fit online care

Adults 18 and older
Outer-ear-canal symptoms after water exposure
No fever, spreading swelling, or severe pain
No known eardrum perforation or ear tubes

Look for another care setting

Fever, or redness and swelling around or behind the ear
Severe pain, hearing loss, dizziness, or facial weakness
Diabetes or a weakened immune system with severe ear pain
A known hole in the eardrum, ear tubes, or a middle-ear infection

What to have ready

When it started and any recent water exposure
Whether tugging the ear is painful, and any discharge
Any diabetes/immune conditions, medication allergies, and current medications

What happens next

Standard

$59

Within 6 hours

Priority

$99

Within 3 hours

Rush

$149

Within 1 hour

Start the request on the website, answer the fit questions, and choose the response window you want. If the concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends a secure update after sign-in. When appropriate, non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy, and a basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

How is swimmer's ear different from a middle-ear infection?

Swimmer's ear is in the outer ear canal and typically hurts when you tug the ear; a middle-ear infection is behind the eardrum and needs an in-person exam to diagnose and treat.

How is swimmer's ear treated?

Usually with antibiotic ear drops and keeping the ear dry. The right drop depends on whether the eardrum is intact, which is why we screen for perforation and tubes.

When should I be seen in person?

With fever, swelling around or behind the ear, severe pain, hearing loss, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system with significant ear pain.