OTITIS EXTERNA ... A Cause for Earache

OTITIS EXTERNA (OE ) is a condition characterised by inflammation   and sometimes infection of the  skin of external ear canal. It causes oedema ( swelling) and erythema ( redness) of the ear canal. 

Various causes or conditions can  lead on to OE. Ear canal may be Narrow ( hereditary), or after injury or surgery, or swelling. 

Can be due to Skin problems like allergy and seborrhoeic dermatitis

Sometimes in Allergic conditions like atopy, or allergy to ear drops or any medication

Traumatic  - following swimming or bathing, water entry leading to  probing ear with buds, pin. 

Infection of the middle ear by bacterial or fungal  causes, resulting in discharge  which  affects the external canal. 

Humidity, those with decreased immunity like in  Diabetes are prone to this condition and can lead on to severe infection of cartilage and soft tissues especially in uncontrolled Diabetes. 

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES ? 

Swelling (edema), itching, ear fullness, when scratched, will lead on to injury to the skin, discharge ,edema and  if not treated can lead on to narrowing of the ear canal. Water ( contaminated) and moisture can cause bacterial  and fungal infection. 

TREATMENT & PREVENTION

Treat according to the cause

Clean the ear( not by self) 

Topical and oral medication , analgesics

Diabetes if not under control can lead on to a involvement of cartilage and other soft tissues and  cause Malignant OE which will be explained in detail later. 

DON'T SCRATCH YOUR EAR WITH NAILS, BUDS, PIN .DON'T USE EAR DROPS FOR EVERY EAR ACHE. 

Most of my patient's had OE after using ear wick and hair pin, some had infection after swimming, few cases following instillation of drops for wax, where wax was not there, few following hair treatment (chemicals accidentally entered the ear).