Symptoms of otitis externa

summary

Otitis externa is caused by bacterial infection. It can be divided into diffuse otitis externa and localized otitis externa, and the latter can be called external auditory canal furuncle. The predisposing factors of diffuse otitis externa include ear tapping, skin damage, water intake during swimming, stimulation of suppurative otitis media pus, and invasion of some pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The localized otitis externa is mainly due to the localized suppurative infection of hair follicles or sebaceous glands.

Symptoms of otitis externa

Diffuse otitis externa can be divided into acute and chronic. Acute symptoms include ear pain, burning sensation, and a small amount of secretion outflow, as well as auricle traction pain and tragus tenderness. Chronic otitis externa has itching and a small amount of exudate.

Localized otitis externa can have severe pain, and the pain will be aggravated when opening mouth, eating and chewing. When there is a furuncle in the ear, there can be hearing loss and tinnitus. If the furuncle is broken, there can be pus like outflow. Special attention should be paid to the ulceration of boils.

Otoscopy can be performed. When the ear is in severe pain, painkillers can be used. In the early stage of inflammation, local hot compress can be used. If there is no suppuration in the local area, phenol glycerin can be used to drop the ear or fishstone glycerin gauze can be applied to the affected area. When there is secretion in the ear canal, it can be cleaned with acid salt water.

matters needing attention

Keep the external auditory canal clean and dry to avoid skin damage. Don't put water into the ear canal. Treat it actively. Establish good hygiene and eating habits. We must correct the bad habit of ear tapping. Swimming must be prohibited during treatment. But you can take part in some activities appropriately.