Final answer:
The described symptoms indicate swimmer's ear (otitis externa), which is treated with ear drops and keeping the ear dry, and prevented by using ear plugs and drying ears after swimming.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms you’ve described in a 12-year-old swimmer, including pain when adjusting goggle straps behind the ear, thick exudates coming from the ear, and tender posterior auricular nodes, suggest a diagnosis of otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer’s ear. This condition is often caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, especially in individuals frequently using pools. In terms of treatment, it generally includes keeping the ear dry, avoiding swimming, and the use of ear drops that may contain antibiotics and/or steroids to reduce inflammation. For prevention, the use of ear plugs when swimming and drying the ears thoroughly after swimming can be effective.
Swimmer's ear can lead to symptoms like itching, redness, discomfort, and in severe cases, fever, pain, swelling, as well as erythema and severe peeling of the skin of the ear canal. If the infection is not treated, it can worsen and become more painful and problematic. Hence, it is important to seek medical attention promptly for correct diagnosis and treatment.