Otitis externa: symptoms and treatment, prevention of the disease

ENT diseases are considered to be mild ailments that are quickly treated with medications or folk remedies. It is customary to look at a sore throat, nasal congestion, discomfort in the ears as something of little danger and natural. However, this is not always the case.

Simple and seemingly harmless ailments can cause deliberate inconvenience and sensations. Moreover, if you do not deal with their treatment on time, you can face serious serious consequences.

Among these diseases, otitis of the outer ear is distinguished, a photo, the symptoms and treatment of which will be discussed in this article.

This seemingly uncomplicated ailment is characterized by unpleasant signs and difficult complications. What is this disease? How does it manifest? What are the causes of otitis externa, the symptoms and treatment of which we present below? Let's find out.

Organ structure

Before talking about the symptoms and treatment of otitis externa, you should understand the main characteristics of this disease.

The outer ear consists of:

• The eardrum, which serves as a separating barrier between the outer ear and the middle. She does not allow infection to enter the internal organs, and also participates in the passage of sound signals.
• The auditory canal that connects the external opening to the eardrum. In an organ whose dimensions reach 2.5 cm in length and not more than 1 cm in width, earwax is produced that removes microbes and foreign particles from the ear. The auditory meatus is located near important organs such as the salivary gland and the temporal bone of the skull.
• Auricle. This is a skin-covered cartilage, inside of which there are many sebaceous glands, which are responsible for protecting the internal organs from bacteria and foreign elements.

Disease Description

The inflammatory process that occurs in these organs is called otitis externa. Symptoms and treatment of this disease are often associated with the development of an infection caused by bacteria.

According to statistics, most often the disease affects representatives of the so-called water professions (swimmers, divers and others), as well as children under the age of twelve. This is due to the weakness of the protective mechanisms and the anatomical properties of the structure of the ear of any child (for example, in children the external auditory canal is shorter than in adults).

What is the cause of otitis externa in adults? Symptoms and treatment of this disease will be discussed a bit later.

Disease provocateurs

The cause of this disease is most often an infection caused by bacteria such as fungi (candida, aspergillus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus, streptococcus and others.

Another culprit of the disease is the inflammatory process caused by allergic influences or other irritations. How can this be in practice?

Hearing impairment

In most cases, the symptoms and treatment of otitis externa depend on such objective factors:

1. Wrong way of hygiene. This includes complete non-compliance with hygiene measures (it is advisable to wash the auricles daily with soap and water, and clean the ear canals regularly with a cotton swab), excessively frequent cleaning operations (ears should be removed from sulfur no more than once or twice a week), incorrect cleaning (can not be used in as sharp tools, sharp objects, babies up to twelve months old should wipe their ears with a cotton tow), too deep cleansing (it is impossible to clean the ear canal from sulfur deeper than one centimeter for adults, half a centimeter - for children).
2. Pathology of the formation of sulfur. If there is too little secretion, this can provoke a decrease in protective functions, if too much, there is a possibility of the formation of sulfur plugs and infection.
3. Penetration of foreign elements into the ear (foreign particles and water injure the skin, provoke irritation and swelling, contribute to the onset of infection).
4. Weakening of the immune system. Due to hypothermia, frequent diseases, chronic ailments, immunodeficiency states, the strength of the whole organism is depleted, and its protective functions decrease.
5. Serious diseases of neighboring organs. Skin infections such as boils, eczema, and others can cause pus and bacteria to get into your ear.

Whatever the causes of otitis externa, the symptoms and treatment of this ailment have similar characteristics.

Manifestations of the disease

The main symptoms of otitis externa are:

• burning and pain in the ears;
• pus discharge;
• inflamed lymph nodes in the ear area.

However, there are additional symptoms of the disease that characterize specific conditions. It could be:

1. Boil - suppuration of the sebaceous gland of the auricle. It manifests itself in a sharp pain, giving to the head, jaw and neck, and intensifying in the process of chewing or pressing on the ear. Sometimes it is accompanied by an increase in body temperature and a general deterioration in well-being. Five to seven days later, an abscess may open, after which purulent fluid will flow out.
2. Erysipelas is a bacterial inflammation caused by streptococcus. It is characterized by swelling and redness of the skin, chills, fever, headache, less often - the formation of watery vesicles.
3. Otomycosis is a suppuration provoked by fungi. The patient feels a foreign body in the ear canal, suffers from tinnitus and a feeling of congestion. Films and crusts form on the surface of the auricle, and discharge may occur.
4. Perichondritis - damage to the cartilage and skin. It is accompanied by swelling and accumulation of pus. May lead to a change in the appearance of the ear and its decrease.
5. Sometimes it is necessary to treat diffuse otitis externa . Symptoms of this type of disease are manifested in swelling of the skin, narrowing of the ear canal, purulent discharge, high body temperature. This ailment can affect not only the skin, but also the entire subcutaneous layer, the entire auditory canal and even the eardrum.

What if you find the above symptoms? The very first thing is to see a doctor.

Diagnosis of ailment

An ENT doctor is involved in the detection and treatment of external otitis media. What examinations can he prescribe?

First of all, a general blood test, which may indicate the presence of inflammatory processes (for example, an increase in white blood cells).

Otoscopy will also be performed - an examination of the ear using a special device to detect edema, secretions and other pathologies.

An analysis of secretions emerging from the ear canal may also be recommended, which will indicate the true causative agent of the disease.

An important manipulation to detect external otitis media is a hearing test. If the patient hears worse, then the process of inflammation affects the tympanic cavity. In this case, we are no longer talking about external otitis media, but about the average.

Treatment

Is it possible to start treatment of otitis externa at home? Symptoms and causes of the disease will help the attending physician determine how and where to carry out the therapy. As practice shows, in order to get rid of the disease, it is not necessary to be in hospital treatment.

Do not worry, otitis media of the external ear (we will describe the symptoms and treatment at home below) will be completely cured. Complex therapy is prescribed, scrupulously performing which, you can get rid of the disease in a few days!

What does the modern treatment of otitis externa include?

Symptoms and treatment with drops

First of all, an ENT doctor will prescribe pharmacological agents for ear instillation.

The same medicines can be prescribed for symptoms of otitis externa in children.

Treatment and recovery of babies can be a consequence of the use of the same drugs as in adults, only in a lower dosage.

Here are some drops that can be prescribed:

• “Anauran”. Active ingredients: lidocaine (anesthetic) and neomycin (broad-spectrum antibiotic). Children are instilled with two to three drops three to four times a day, for adults four to five drops two to three times a day.
• "Garazon." Active ingredients: antibiotic gentamicin and the synthetic hormone betamethasone, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. Can be used as drops or turund.
• Otinum. It has the active substance of the holim salicylate, which reduces inflammation and anesthetizes at the same time.
• Otipax. Active ingredients: lidocaine and phenazone (antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent).
• "Polydex". Thanks to such basic components as dexamethasone (a synthetic hormone) and neomycin, it quickly blocks inflammation and anesthetizes.
• Sofradex Active ingredients: dexamethasone and gramicidin (a powerful antibiotic that destroys all kinds of bacteria).

Using these drugs, you should strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations or act strictly according to the instructions enclosed in the package. During instillation of the ears, it is important to adhere to some general rules:

1. Clean your ear with a cotton swab.
2. Lie so that the ear is on top.
3. Hold a bottle of medicine in the palm of your hand for a couple of minutes, thereby warming it.
4. Bury the ear should only a special clean pipette.
5. When instilling the ear, slightly pull back.
6. After the manipulation, do not change your posture for several minutes so that the drops do not spill out.

But what if drops do not help? Then the attending physician may prescribe antibiotics.

Medications for oral administration

For treatment at home, antibacterial drugs such as:

1. “Nystatin.” Available in the form of tablets and is allowed for use by children from one year old.
2. “Klacid” - suspension for babies.
3. Ampicillin.
4. “Azithromycin”.
5. “Ciprofloxacin” - destroys active and passive bacteria.

In combination with drops and tablets, the doctor can prescribe ointments, antifungal solutions and UHF procedures used externally.

Is it possible to start treatment of otitis externa with folk remedies (symptoms and diagnosis of the disease are indicated above)?

Yes, and this will be discussed further.

ethnoscience

For the treatment of otitis externa, turunds soaked in propolis or onion juice can be used. Such cotton swabs can be worn all day, pulling out only at night.

Another effective recipe is drops from chamomile infusion (pour a teaspoon of dried flowers with a glass of boiling water, insist for half an hour and instill two or three drops three or four times a day).

Another effective remedy for otitis externa is a leaf of geranium, carefully placed in the ear canal. This tool will relieve pain and burning in the ear.

As you know, otitis externa affects not only people, but also animals. What is this ailment - read below.

Otitis externa in dogs: symptoms and treatment

These pets are most prone to the appearance of this disease. How to identify the disease in time and start treatment?

First of all, observe the dog’s behavior. If she often shakes her ears, tilts her head down, has lost her appetite and has become lethargic and depressed, then it is worth the alarm.

First of all, it is important to carefully examine the hearing organs. If redness and swelling of the ears, inflammation of the lymph nodes and purulent discharge are observed, you should immediately see a veterinarian.

A competent specialist will prescribe an effective treatment, the complex of which will include antibiotics, antiseptics, analgesics, antiviral and other drugs, including topical preparations. After such treatment, your pet will certainly recover.

Prevention

As you can see, otitis externa is a serious but treatable disease that is common among both adults and young children. Even pets suffer from it.

In order not to get sick, you should perform some simple preventive measures: regularly clean the ear canals, make sure that no water gets into your ear, and try to avoid injuries and drafts. And then this disease will not cause you any trouble or inconvenience.