Otitis Externa

Inflammation or infection of the ear canal, often called swimmer ear

Overview

Otitis externa is inflammation of the external ear canal, most often due to bacterial infection, commonly Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus, and less often fungi. It causes itching, pain that worsens when the outer ear is pulled or pressed, discharge, and muffled hearing from swelling of the canal. Moisture from swimming or humid climates, minor trauma from cotton swabs or fingernails, hearing aid earmolds, and skin conditions such as eczema all raise the risk by disrupting the protective layer of wax and skin. It is commonly known as swimmer ear. Treatment usually involves cleaning debris from the canal and topical antibiotic or antiseptic drops, sometimes combined with a steroid. Necrotizing or malignant otitis externa is a serious invasive form that spreads to the bone of the skull base, occurs mainly in older people with diabetes or weakened immunity, and is treated in hospital.