Symptoms of otitis externa and how to prevent it

Otitis externa is the most common infection in children.

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the outer ear canal. Conditions such as infections, allergies, and skin diseases can all lead to otitis externa. Of these, acute bacterial infections are the most common cause.

The external auditory canal is the part of the ear located on the outside, between the auricle and the eardrum. When water accumulates in the external auditory canal, bacteria and fungi have favorable conditions to develop, causing otitis externa. Otitis externa often appears a few days after swimming and can be acute or chronic.

According to records, the cause of otitis externa is also due to the habit of cleaning, wiping, and removing earwax with hard tools.

Otitis externa is most common in children.

Injuries to the external ear canal; frequent use of devices such as headphones or hearing aids; excessive earwax; dry ear canal, foreign objects in the external ear canal: insects, cotton, children's toys...; eczema or some skin diseases of the ear... also cause otitis externa.

Otitis externa can occur at any age, including infants (

This disease is common in summer, in areas with high environmental humidity, in people who regularly play sports or participate in water activities.

Symptoms of otitis externa

Common symptoms of otitis externa are:

• Red spots appear on the skin of the outer ear canal and itching in the ear.
  
• Patients have ear pain, especially when touching the earlobe, the pain can spread to the neck, face or head area.
  
• Otorrhea (feeling of water in the ear) occurs.
  
• Swelling of the neck glands or swelling around the ears; swelling of the external auditory canal.
  
• Accompanied by hearing loss.
• Feeling of fullness and heaviness in the ear.
• Fever…
  

Based on symptoms and signs during examination, otitis externa can be divided into 3 levels:

• Mild otitis externa: The patient only feels discomfort or mild itching in the ear. The ear canal is slightly swollen.
  
• Moderate otitis externa: Moderate pain and itching of the ear. Partial blockage of the ear canal.
• Severe otitis externa: Severe ear pain, completely blocked ear canal due to edema, sometimes with signs of redness around the ear, auricle, swollen neck lymph nodes and fever.
  

Treatment and prevention of otitis externa

Depending on each specific case, doctors will prescribe appropriate treatment, usually needing ear cleaning (ear washing, ear drainage, ear pus drainage). Use prescribed ear drops or oral antibiotics when necessary to treat inflammation and infection.

For severe cases of otitis externa with risk of complications, hospitalization should be considered for treatment.

Using cotton swabs incorrectly can push dirt from the outside into the ear canal.

To prevent otitis externa, use earplugs when swimming or bathing. After swimming, tilt your head from side to side to let the water drain out.

Avoid frequent ear cleaning, avoid removing earwax with dirty tools. The outer ear canal can be dried by using a hot stream from a hair dryer at low intensity or cold air: keep the distance between the hair dryer and the head about 30 cm. The hair dryer is placed from behind, blowing the air forward and moving frequently, should not be kept in one place.

To avoid recurrence of otitis externa, patients should note that they should not use cotton swabs to clean the ear canal. Improper use of cotton swabs can push dirt from the outside into the ear canal, creating conditions for otitis externa to arise and develop.

When experiencing the above signs of ear discomfort, patients should immediately see an ENT specialist for examination, appropriate treatment advice, and advice on measures to prevent recurrence.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/bieu-hien-viem-tai-ngoai-va-cach-phong-tranh-172240625201831568.htm