Otitis externa: symptoms and treatment

Otitis externa is a disease in which an inflammatory process develops in the external auditory canal. External otitis is divided into two forms: limited and diffuse. The first form of the disease occurs as a result of inflammation of the hair follicle in the ear canal and, in fact, is a furuncle. With a diffuse form of otitis externa, the inflammatory process captures the entire auditory canal.

Causes of otitis externa

The main reason for the development of inflammation in the external auditory canal is a bacterial infection, but fungal or allergic skin lesions also occur. Viral otitis externa is extremely rare. Predisposing factors for the development of the disease are small ones resulting from improper hygiene of the ears, as well as foreign bodies.

Symptoms of otitis externa

During otoscopy (examination of the ear) with external otitis, hyperemia (redness) and swelling of the skin in the area of ​​​​the external auditory canal will be detected.

A limited form of external otitis is manifested by bursting pain in the ear, the appearance of which may be preceded by itching. The pain syndrome is aggravated by chewing, talking, pressing on the tragus, or pulling the ear back. With self-opening of the abscess, the pain subsides, and. Decrease in hearing acuity for this form of the disease is not typical. In rare cases, hearing loss can occur with a large boil, if it completely blocks the ear canal.

Symptoms are more pronounced than with a limited form of the disease. Patients are concerned about intense pain in the ear, decreased hearing acuity, sometimes you can notice redness and swelling of the skin of the ear canal. Temperature increase possible

body temperature up to 37.5 C, an increase in the lymph nodes closest to the affected area. Some patients are worried, which is typical for or eczema. If the inflammatory process spreads to the tympanic membrane, then scanty transparent discharge from the ear canal may appear, and a headache joins.

Treatment of otitis externa

Treatment of limited external otitis

Treatment of a limited form of the disease is usually surgical. Under local anesthesia, pus is opened and removed, as a result of which the condition of patients noticeably improves almost immediately. After the procedure, patients are prescribed topical antibacterial drugs in the form of drops (Normaks, Candibiotic) or ointments (Levomekol, Celestoderm-B with gramycin, Triderm).

If during the examination the doctor revealed several boils in the ear canal, then systemic antibiotic therapy may be needed.

Treatment of diffuse form of otitis externa

If external otitis has a bacterial nature, the main direction of treatment is antibiotic therapy.

Treatment of this form of the disease is conservative. In this case, the systemic use of antibiotics is necessary. Antibacterial therapy is prescribed only by a doctor. In addition, to reduce swelling at the site of inflammation, patients are prescribed antihistamines (Citrine, Claritin, etc.). With otitis externa of a fungal nature, it is advisable to prescribe antifungal drugs.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nimesulide, Diclofenac, Nurofen, etc.) will help reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome, as well as reduce inflammation.

Daily ear toilet is needed. Drops with an antibacterial component are regularly instilled into the ear. On the recommendation of a doctor, turunda can be installed at the ear canal with ointments containing antibacterial or hormonal components (Triderm, Flucinar, etc.).

Patients are prescribed remedies that strengthen the immune system (vitamin-mineral complexes, adaptogens, dietary supplements).

Any form of otitis externa do not inject turunda with boric alcohol into the ear, as well as carry out warming up (including with a blue lamp). Warming procedures can be performed during the recovery phase only with the permission of the doctor.

Prevention of otitis externa

1. First of all, you need to properly care for your ears. You can use cotton swabs for hygiene procedures, but you can enter them into the ear canal no more than 0.5 cm. Usually it is enough to remove accumulated earwax only at the entrance to the ear canal.
2. Sharp objects should not be used to clean the ears, since they can also create the so-called gate for infection.
3. It is not recommended to remove sulfur plugs and foreign bodies from the ear canal on your own, it is better to entrust this procedure to a doctor.
4. It is necessary to protect the ears from getting water into them while washing or bathing, especially in open water.

About the causes of otitis externa and its treatment in the program "Live healthy!".