[header] How to identify swimmer's ear [title] Sense an itch in your ear. [step] Itching in the outer ear and ear canal is the first sign of swimmer's ear. [substeps] Because one of the main causes of an ear infection is through your ear being exposed to water, pay particular attention to itching that arises in the days soon after you have gone swimming. 
Infections due to fungi cause greater itchiness than those due to bacteria. [title] Look for redness inside your ear.