External otitis is an inflammation of the skin of the external canal of the ear, located in front of the eardrum, and which gives the sensation of a blocked ear. Its management must be rapid to avoid complications.
What is otitis externa?
External otitis is a inflammation or even infection of the skin of the outer canal of the ear, that is to say the canal that goes from the auricle to the eardrum. It is an otitis of the outer part of the ear while acute otitis media are located at the level of the eardrum, where there is a purulent effusion.
What are the symptoms of otitis externa?
External otitis can be very painful and rarely gives fever. “The patient has the stuffy ear feeling with redness at the entrance to the external auditory canal, or even the pinna if there is an extension of the infection. Mobilization of the pavilion is painful“, specifies Dr. Isabelle Rouillon, ENT.
What causes otitis externa?
Otitis externa is often associated with a plug in the ear canal. “These ear infections are particularly frequent in the summer, when swimming“, emphasizes Dr. Rouillon. This plug has generally become waterlogged. An infection of the skin in contact with the cork then developed. Diabetics and frail people may be more prone external otitis. “It can do following an ear cleaning/washing, always in a context of formation of a plug and secondary infection of the auditory canal, and the complications can be much more severe in these fragile patients. This is called malignant otitis externa”. she notes.
How long does otitis externa last?
External otitis usually lasts one week. “In fact, the otitis will last as long as the plug is in the ear canal.
Is otitis externa contagious?
No, otitis externa is not contagious.
Which examination to make the diagnosis of otitis externa?
To diagnose otitis externa, there is only clinical examination of the ear. There is no need for additional examinations. We will observe the auditory canal and the eardrum: “Often it is difficult to see the eardrum because the ear canal is closed, following the swelling linked to this infection”.
What is the treatment for otitis externa?
To treat otitis externa, we recommend, as a first step:
- of the drops of antibiotics and corticosteroids to fight infection,
- A cleaning when possible
- and, in the event of a traffic jam, we try toremove very gently so that dirty secretions can drain.
“If the conduit is very stenotic, the installation of a small cotton wick, a pop, in the ear will be proposed to improve the contact time between the drops of antibiotic corticosteroids and the infected skin. We thus gain in efficiency“, adds Dr. Rouillon. In general, this gesture is performed by an ENT. If this care is not sufficient and the patient’s ground is fragile, we add, in a second step, general antibiotic therapy. “Be careful, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should not be prescribed, because this can promote the spread of infection”. she warns.
Thanks to Dr Isabelle Rouillon, Pediatric ENT and Cervicofacial Surgery Department, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris.