Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is meant by otitis externa?
- How common is this condition?
- Symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of otitis externa?
- When should I call the doctor?
- Cause
- What causes otitis externa?
- The natural ear's natural defenses
- How the infection occurs
- Risk factors
- What increases your risk of developing otitis externa?
- Treatment
- What are the treatment options that can be done oriris externa?
- 1. Clean the ears
- 2. Ear drops
- 3. Pain relievers
- 4. Operation
- What are the most common types of tests performed on people with otitis externa?
- Home remedies
- What are the natural home remedies for otitis externa?
- 1. Warm compress
- 2. Drops of garlic juice
- 3. Vinegar and alcohol solution
- Another important tip for treating otitis externa
Definition
What is meant by otitis externa?
Otitis external or swimmers ear is an ear infection that attacks the thin skin covering the outer ear canal, and in some cases is caused by bacteria or fungus. The ear canal extends from the eardrum to the outer part of the ear.
The most common cause of this infection is bacteria that invade the skin in your ear canal. External otitis usually appears a few days after you swim, and can worsen to become acute and chronic.
External otitis is divided into several types, including:
- Acute otitis externa, which is the most common form and most often occurs in swimmers
- Acute localized external otitis, which is the form associated with hair follicle infection
- Chronic external otitis, which is the same form as the acute type, but the duration is longer (more than six weeks)
- Eczematoid otitis externa, which is a type caused by skin disease
- Malignant otitis externa, which is the type that adults with weakened immune systems tend to experience
- Otomycosis, which is an ear canal infection caused by a fungal species
One of the treatment options for swimmers ear is treated with ear drops. Immediate treatment can help prevent more serious complications and infections.
How common is this condition?
This ear disorder usually occurs in children or people who have recently swum. People who are more prone to this disease are people with diabetes mellitus, have certain skin allergies, as well as people whose ears cannot produce enough ear wax.
Your chances of getting this infection can be reduced if you avoid the risk factors. Always consult a doctor for more information.
Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of otitis externa?
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, swimmer's ear symptoms are usually mild at first, but this condition can worsen if your infection is not treated or spreads. Doctors often divide the symptoms of this condition according to the level of progression of mild, moderate, and advanced.
The signs and symptoms of otitis externa include:
- Ear pain that gets worse after inserting a cotton swab or pressing on the ear;
- Itching in the ears;
- Slight fever (sometimes);
- Pus discharge from the ear;
- Temporary hearing loss;
- Sometimes there are small lumps or ulcers near the ear canal. The lump causes excruciating pain. And when it is deflated, blood or pus will pour out of it.
In addition, there are also some characteristics and symptoms that are not mentioned above. If you have the same complaint, please consult your doctor.
When should I call the doctor?
You need to contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the symptoms of this condition. Contact a doctor or go directly to the hospital if you have any of the following complaints:
- Excruciating pain
- Fever
Everyone has a different body reaction. Consulting a doctor is the best thing you can do.
Cause
What causes otitis externa?
Infection usually starts after swimming in dirty water. Usually, bacteria like Pseudomonas sp. live in dirty water and can cause otitis externa. In rare cases, the infection can be caused by a fungus.
The natural ear's natural defenses
Your outer ear canal has natural defenses that help keep your ears clean and prevent infection. Ear protection includes:
- Glands that secrete a waxy substance (cerumen). This waxy substance forms a thin, waterproof film on the skin inside your ear. Cerumen can also prevent bacterial growth. Cerumen also gets rid of dirt and dead skin cells on your ears.
- Cartilage that partially covers the ear canal. This helps prevent foreign objects from entering the ear.
How the infection occurs
If you have a swimmer's ear, your natural defenses have been overwhelmed. Conditions that can weaken your ear's defenses and promote bacterial growth include:
- Excess moisture in your ears. Severe sweating, prolonged humid weather, or water left in the ear can provide a beneficial site for bacteria.
- Scratches or abrasions in your ear canal. Cleaning the ears with a cotton swab or hair clip, scratching the inside of the ear with the day, or wearing earbuds can cause minor damage to the skin that allows bacteria to grow.
- Sensitivity reaction. Products or jewelry worn on your hair can cause allergies and infections.
Risk factors
What increases your risk of developing otitis externa?
Some of the risk factors below can affect your chances of getting otitis externa, namely:
- Swim regularly
- Swim in water with lots of bacteria
- A child's ear canal that is narrow, for example, can easily store water in the ear, increasing the risk of developing otitis externa
- Clean your ears too often with a cotton swab or other object
- Too frequent use of certain gadgets such as headsets or hearing aids
- Skin allergies that are triggered by certain accessories, hairspray, or soap rinses
Treatment
The information below is not a substitute for medical advice from a doctor; always consult a professional doctor.
What are the treatment options that can be done oriris externa?
Your doctor will suggest several medical treatment options for otitis externa. The main goal is to stop infection, as well as restore ear function to normal. The following are various treatment options:
1. Clean the ears
Before inserting the medicine into the ear, the doctor will clean the ear canal first. The goal is that the treatment given will be more effective in overcoming otitis externa.
Given the winding ear canal, cleaning it will make it easy for the drug to enter the infected part. Doctors usually use a special suction device, which will remove all fluid and any wax that is in the ear.
2. Ear drops
After the ears are completely clean, the doctor can prescribe ear drops as a medical treatment for otitis externa. The type of ear drops prescribed are usually adjusted according to the severity of the infection.
The following are ingredients that are usually found in ear drops for otitis externa:
- Antibiotics to fight bacteria.
- Steroids to relieve inflammation.
- Acidic acid or a certain chemical to restore the balance of the condition of the ear canal, so that germs do not easily grow.
- Antifungal drugs to fight infections caused by fungi.
Next, use ear drops as a medical treatment with proper usage rules. However, if you find that your ear canal is blocked due to swelling and inflammation, your doctor may use an ear wick.
Ear wick is cotton or gauze that is used to help smooth flow in the ear canal, so that the drops can enter the entire infected area. Ear wicks are only used when the external otitis condition is severe.
3. Pain relievers
If this swimmer's ear infection does not work with ear drops, the doctor may take further action. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers.
Examples include ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Or another option, the doctor can also prescribe medical treatment using oral antibiotics as a way to treat otitis externa.
4. Operation
If there is damage to important tissues due to infection, such as in malignant otitis externa, you may be advised to undergo surgery. Surgery is performed to remove the damaged tissue.
What are the most common types of tests performed on people with otitis externa?
Your doctor will do a physical exam to determine if you have otitis externa. This examination includes a medical history to identify underlying conditions that can weaken your immune system.
During the exam, your doctor will look inside the ear for infection. The doctor can also examine the part of your head and back of your ear.
If there is fluid discharged from the ear, the doctor will take a sample of the fluid. They will send the sample to a laboratory for analysis. This can help identify the bacteria causing the infection.
If you have malignant otitis externa, your doctor may order additional tests to see if the infection has spread. Some of the tests include:
- Neurological examination
- CT scan head
- MRI head
- Radionuclide scan
Home remedies
What are the natural home remedies for otitis externa?
Apart from medical treatment, home remedies can also be used to help restore the ear due to otitis externa. Here are various options for ways you can relieve pain, redness, itching, and various symptoms of swimmer's ear infection:
1. Warm compress
Get a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth, towel, or washcloth, then apply a warm compress to the affected ear. Try not to use the water temperature too hot, but warm enough so that it will not injure your ears.
Do this natural otitis externa treatment several times a day, at least until the pain subsides enough.
2. Drops of garlic juice
The natural content in garlic is believed to help fight infection-causing bacteria, thus making it a treatment for otitis externa. However, you are advised to be careful or you should avoid using this natural ingredient if discharge from the ear.
3. Vinegar and alcohol solution
Using a solution of vinegar mixed with a little alcohol can also be a natural treatment for otitis externa. In order to ensure its safety, you should use an alcohol solution made specifically for treatment.
You can use this natural remedy for otitis externa several times a day, especially after direct contact with water. For example, after washing your face, taking a shower, and others.
Another important tip for treating otitis externa
Not only routinely apply medical and natural methods to deal with otitis exteriors or swimmer's ear infections that you have. Instead, do the following to reduce the risk of developing a more severe infection:
- Use ear plugs when showering and swimming to prevent water from getting into the ears
- Avoid scratching the inner ear
- Avoid using cotton swabs to clean the ears
- Make sure your ears are always dry by cleaning them regularly after the activity
It is important to remember, that ear infections can easily occur after exposure to dirty water. Therefore, avoid swimming, bathing, or washing your face using dirty water sources that are prone to contain lots of bacteria in them.
If you have any questions, please consult a professional doctor immediately to find the best medical solution.
