Overview
Otitis externa is inflammation/infection of the ear canal and external ear. There are 2 types : Acute (less than 6 weeks) and chronic (more than three months). Otitis externa affects 1–3% of people a year; most of cases are acute. At some point in their lives, about 10% of people will be affected.Signs and Symptoms
Ear pain. It directly related to the severity of acute external otitis. It worsens when the outer ear is touched or pulled gently, Ear discharge, Itchiness, Swelling, Temporary conductive hearing loss, Redness, Additional trauma to injured skinCommon Causes
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Staph. aureusRisk Factors
Inadvertent injury to the canal caused by cleaning with cotton swabs or other objects, Allergies, Psoriasis, Eczema, Seborrheic dermatitis, Decreased canal acidity (possibly due to the repeated presence of water), Irritants (eg, hair spray, hair dye)Investigation Techniques
Clinical diagnosis with thorough history, Examination of the ear using an otoscope, Swabs of the discharge can be sent for culture, Look for risk factors such as diabetes meliitus, High Resolution CT (HRCT) scan to investigate the extent of the diseaseTreatment and Prevention
Hydrogen peroxide, Suction device, Ear curette, Antibiotics to kill bacteria, Steroids to help with swelling, Antifungal medicines, Chemicals that restore a healthy balance to your ear canal, so it's harder for germs to grow, Painkillers (acetaminophen/ibuprofen or naproxen)
