Otitis externa is infection and inflammation in the ear canal and pinna or the outer ear. It is also called as swimmers ear, as the condition is more prevalent among swimmers. However it can also occur in a person who does not swim. Together with otitis media, otitis externa is the most common cause for earache, both among children and adults.
Otitis externa can occur as a result of skin condition such as eczema or due to infection in the ear canal. It can be bacterial or fungal infection. The skin inside the ear canal may lacerate while you forcefully remove the hard impacted ear wax.
Common symptoms of otitis externa are itching, redness and swelling of the outer ear, pain and tenderness in the ear, yellow or greenish pus discharge and hearing loss for temporary period.
What Causes Swimmer’s Ear Infection?
As mentioned earlier, it is a common complaint among swimmers. Water enters the ear canal while swimming. Due to this, there is moisture and warmth in the ear canal; this encourages the growth of bacteria and fungus. Besides, the water itself may be contaminated with bacteria. Sand and debris that enters the ear canal may also cause swimmer’s ear.
- Swimming is not the only cause of otitis externa, even the water that enters the ear while you take shower can give rise to such a problem.
- Scratching the ear with pinhead, removing hard impacted wax with the ear bud may injure the skin of the ear canal, which makes it vulnerable for contracting external ear infection.
- An impacted foreign body in the ear canal is also one reason for otitis externa.
- Bacteria which most often infect the ear canal are pseudomonas and staphylococcus. Candida and aspergillus are the commonest fungal infection found in otitis externa.
Following are the risk factors for otitis externa:
- Narrow ear canal.
- Moisture and water remaining for a long time after taking bath and swimming.
- Metal allergy, earring allergy.
- Swimming in polluted water.
- Use of pins and metals to remove the wax.
Treatment For Otitis Externa
The treatment is aimed to reduce the swelling, and infection.
- When otitis externa is mild or in the initial stage, avoid swimming or shampooing your hairs for few days till the condition is resolved.
- However, if the disease is moderate or severe, and if the atmosphere is moist, it may not heal of its own.
- Topical ear drops containing antibiotics and anti inflammatory medications is the main stay of treating the illness. Many ear drops contain both antibacterial and anti fungal agents to cure otitis externa.
- To insert the ear drops, the patient has to lie with his head on the pillow in such position so that the affected ear faces upwards. Now gently insert few ear drops inside the ear canal. Do not tilt your head for some time or plug the ear canal with cotton bud so that the drops do not drain out.
- Apply heat on the outer ear with a warm towel or heating pad.
- If fever is present or if the lymph nodes in the neck are inflamed, oral antibiotics are also prescribed by the physicians.
- Related Topics
- What is Otitis Media? Causes, Symptoms | Treatment for Otitis Media
- Swimmers Ear Drops: Home Remedies For Removing Water From Ears
- Swimmers Ears: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Natural Treatment
- Feels Like Water In Ear: Symptoms And Treatment For Ear Infection
- Home Remedies for Ear Infection: Treatment for Pain from Ear Infection
