Otitis externa: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Otitis externa is inflammation of the outer part of the ear that can cause symptoms such as ear pain, itching, peeling of the ear canal and decreased hearing.

Generally, otitis externa is more common when wearing headphones for a long time, due to allergies or after going to the beach or swimming pool, due to heat and humidity, which favor the development of bacteria and fungi.

In the presence of signs and symptoms indicative of external otitis, it is important to consult an otorhinolaryngologist to confirm the diagnosis and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which may involve the use of analgesics, anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids and/or antibiotics.

Symptoms of otitis externa

The main symptoms indicative of otitis externa are:

• Ear pain, which may occur when you gently pull your ear;
• Itching in the ear;
• Decreased hearing;
• Peeling of the skin in the ear canal;
• Redness or swelling of the ear;
• There may be whitish discharge.

In the case of children, it is possible to suspect otitis when the child puts their hand in their ear several times, cries a lot and becomes more irritated, for example.

It is important to consult an otorhinolaryngologist or pediatrician whenever symptoms of otitis externa appear, so that the ear can be assessed and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of otitis externa is made by an otorhinolaryngologist or pediatrician, through assessment of symptoms, their duration and intensity, and physical examination of the ear to identify signs of inflammation and/or infection.

Make an appointment with an otorhinolaryngologist in the region closest to you:

If symptoms persist for a few weeks even after treatment, the doctor may recommend that a small sample of ear tissue be collected for analysis in the laboratory, as it may be related to an infection.

This way, it is possible to identify the infectious agent related to this inflammation and initiate more targeted treatment.

Main causes

Otitis externa can occur as a consequence of some situations, the main ones being:

• Heat and humidity, common after going to the beach or swimming pool, which facilitates the proliferation of bacteria;
• Use of cotton swabs;
• Presence of small objects in the ear, which happens more frequently in young children;
• Use of hearing aids;
• Use of headphones;
• Topical allergy, which may be due to a medication in the form of an ointment or cream applied to the ear or shampoo, for example;

Malignant or necrotizing external otitis, on the other hand, is a more aggressive and serious form of the infection, more common in people with compromised immunity or uncontrolled diabetics, which begins in the external part of the ear and evolves over weeks to months, causing intense involvement of the ear and strong symptoms. In these cases, treatment with more potent antibiotics may be indicated for a prolonged period of 4 to 6 weeks.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for otitis externa must be carried out under the guidance of an otorhinolaryngologist, pediatrician or general practitioner according to the symptoms presented and the cause of the inflammation.

In general, the use of topical remedies (in drops) is recommended to clean the ear, such as serum and alcoholic solutions.

Remedies for otitis externa

Depending on the cause of otitis externa, the use of other medications may also be indicated, such as corticosteroids or antibiotics, such as Ciprofloxacin, for example. If a perforation of the eardrum is found, the use of 1.2% aluminum acetate 3 drops 3 times a day may also be indicated, or according to medical advice.

The doctor may also recommend the use of medicines that help relieve pain and reduce inflammation, especially in the case of babies and children. Check out the main remedies for otitis.

How much time does the treatment last

The treatment time for otitis externa may vary depending on the cause. In the case of using antibiotics, treatment lasts 8 to 10 days, but when only analgesics and anti-inflammatories are used, treatment lasts 5 to 7 days, with symptoms improving on the second day of treatment.

Home Treatment Options

To complement the treatment recommended by your doctor, it is also important to adopt some home measures to recover faster:

• Avoid cleaning your ears with your fingers, cotton swabs or pen caps, for example, preferring to clean only with the tip of a towel after bathing;
• If you go to the pool frequently, always use a cotton ball moistened with a little Vaseline inside your ear;
• When washing your hair, lean your head forward and then dry your ears.
• Drink guaco tea with pennyroyal, because it helps eliminate phlegm, being useful for curing the flu or cold faster. Because secretions aggravate ear infections, this may be a good strategy for teenagers or adults.

If there is scaling or pus in the ear, you can clean the area with the tip of a clean towel dipped in warm water. Ear washing should not be carried out at home, as the eardrum could be perforated, to prevent the infection from getting worse.