Inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal is the cause of acute otitis externa, also known as swimmer's ear. In this blog post, we cover the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute otitis externa.
There are several factors that contribute to the development of acute otitis externa, including bacterial or fungal infections of the outer ear canal.
Prolonged exposure to water, such as swimming or bathing, can soften the ear canal's skin and create an environment conducive to bacterial or fungal growth.
Using a cotton swab, hairpin, or fingernail to scratch the ear canal can cause small abrasions or cuts that allow bacteria and fungi to enter.
Ingesting foreign objects into the ear canal, such as hearing aids, earplugs, or cotton swabs, can irritate the skin and cause infection.
People with certain skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis, are more likely to develop acute otitis externa.
Acute otitis externa may cause the following symptoms:
Pain in the ear, especially when pulling or touching the outer ear.
Intense itchiness or irritation in the ear canal.
Discharge from the ear that may be clear, yellow, or bloody.
An outer ear or ear canal that is swelling, red, or inflamed.
Hearing loss caused by swelling or blockage of the ear canal.
An ear or jaw area that is tender or sensitive to touch.
An acute otitis externa diagnosis requires a combination of a medical history, physical examination, and otoscopic assessment. Diagnostic assessments may include:
Questions about recent exposure to water, swimming activities, use of earplugs or hearing aids, and symptoms of ear pain.
An otoscope is used to examine the outer ear and ear canal for indications of inflammation, swelling, discharge, or blockage.
A sample of ear discharge is collected for laboratory analysis in order to identify the causative organism (bacteria or fungus) and determine how to treat it.
The goal of treatment for acute otitis externa is to relieve symptoms and eliminate the underlying infection.
Treating bacterial or fungal infections of the ear canal with antibiotic or antifungal ear drops.
You may be able to relieve ear pain and discomfort by taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Clean the ear canal gently to remove excess earwax, debris, or discharge to improve the effectiveness of ear drops.
To prevent further irritation or contamination of the ear canal, patients should avoid swimming or exposure to water until the infection has resolved.
Acute otitis externa can be prevented by:
After swimming or bathing, tilt your head to each side and gently pull your earlobe to help drain the water from your ears.
To prevent injury or irritation, do not insert foreign objects into the ear canal, such as cotton swabs or hairpins.
While swimming or bathing, use swimmer's earplugs or custom-made ear molds to prevent water from entering the ear canal.
Acute otitis externa can be prevented by treating underlying skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis.
