The short answer is no — swimmer's ear is not contagious. This common infection of the outer ear canal, also known as otitis externa, is typically caused by bacteria, fungi, or irritation within the ear canal. The condition often occurs when moisture gets trapped in the ear, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth. While the infection itself isn’t spread from person to person, factors like sharing earplugs or swimming in contaminated water can increase your risk of developing swimmer's ear.
To minimize the risk, it’s essential to keep your ears dry and clean and avoid swimming in polluted water.
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