External Otitis
Also known as: Swimmer's Ear
What
is it?
External otitis is an infection of the ear
canal (the tubular opening that carries sounds
from the outside of the body to the ear drum).
Who
gets it?
Children who have external otitis usually have
a history of diving or swimming under water for
long periods of time, especially in polluted
lakes, rivers or ponds. They may also have
recently tried to clean their ears using
cotton-tipped applicators or dangerously sharp
small objects, like hair clips or bobby pins - and
have scratched the skin in the ear canal.
What
causes it?
External otitis is an infection of the ear
canal that can be caused by many different types
of bacteria or fungi. It usually develops in
children whose ears are exposed to persistent,
excessive moisture, especially when diving or
swimming with their heads under water. For this
reason it occurs most often during the summer
months, and most often in older children and young
adults.
Swimming in a polluted lake, river, or pond can
cause external otitis by bringing infectious
bacteria right into the ear canal. But swimming
frequently in "clean" chlorinated pool
water can cause external otitis, too, since
chlorinated water dries out the skin of the ear
canal and makes it easier for bacteria and fungi
to attack.
Children who do not swim can also develop
external otitis by scratching the ear canal when
they try to clean their ears. This is especially
true if they use sharp instruments (hair clips or
bobby pins).
If external otitis is not treated, the
infection rarely may spread to the cartilage and
bone around the ear canal.
What
are the symptoms?
Its most outstanding symptom is severe ear pain
that gets worse when the earlobe, or other outside
part of the ear, is touched or moved. Sometimes
there is itching in the ear canal before the pain
begins. There also may be a greenish-yellow
discharge of pus from the ear opening. Hearing may
decrease in the affected ear if pus or swelling of
the canal begin to block passage of sound into the
ear. A slight fever may accompany external otitis.
How
is it diagnosed?
If the opening into the ear is narrowed by
swelling, your child's doctor may insert a cotton
wick into the ear canal to help carry ear drops
inside the ear more effectively. For more severe
infections, oral antibiotics are given as well,
and a culture of ear discharge may be taken to
help your child's doctor identify which bacteria
is causing the infection.
What
is the treatment?
Professional treatment of external otitis
depends on the severity of infection and pain. For
milder infections, your child's doctor may
prescribe only ear drops containing antibiotics or
corticosteroids. These will help fight the
infection and reduce swelling of the ear canal.
For full treatment, ear drops are usually given
several times a day for 7 to 10 days.
If your child's ear pain is not relieved by
nonprescription pain medications, your child's
doctor may order a stronger prescription pain
reliever. This will be used only for a short time
- until ear drops and antibiotics begin to work.
Self Care Tips
Children should also avoid putting objects into
their ears - including ear plugs or cotton -
except as directed by your doctor. They should
never try to clean their ears themselves,
especially using straight stiff objects, like
cotton-tipped applicators or bobby pins.
Acid alcohol drops like SwimEar may be used at
the end of the swimming day for the child who
doesn't have ear tubes or a hole in the eardrum.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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