Outer ear infection (otitis externa)
Outer ear infection (otitis externa)
Otitis externa is an infection that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the ear canal, the tube that runs between your outer ear and your eardrum.
It's often called "swimmer's ear," because getting water in your ear on a regular basis can make this inflammation more likely.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Pharmacists in Bangladesh can guide you on outer ear infections and suggest the right treatment. If your symptoms need closer attention, they'll usually advise a visit to your doctor.
Causes
What causes it?
Most cases of otitis externa happen because of a bacterial infection in the ear canal. Irritation, fungal infections, and allergies can also bring it on.
A few things make it more likely to happen, including:
- damaging the skin inside the ear, for example by scratching or picking at it
- getting water inside the ear often, for example while swimming
Water in the ear can make you want to scratch inside it, and the trapped moisture also gives bacteria a good environment to grow in.
Who does it affect?
Otitis externa is fairly common. Around 1 in 10 people are thought to experience it at some point in their lives.
It's diagnosed slightly more often in women than in men, and it shows up most often in adults between 45 and 75 years old.
People living with certain long-term conditions face a higher risk of developing it, including those with:
- eczema
- dermatitis
Diagnosis
Your pharmacist or GP will ask about your symptoms and find out whether you regularly put things into your ears, such as hearing aids or ear plugs. They may also look inside your ear using an instrument called an otoscope.
If you keep getting otitis externa and treatment isn't helping, your GP may take a swab from inside your ear. This will be tested to help work out what type of infection you have, if any, so you can be prescribed the right medication.
Treatment
Treatment for otitis externa
Otitis externa sometimes gets better without treatment, but it can take several weeks.
Prevention
How to prevent otitis externa
There are things you can do to reduce your chances of developing otitis externa.
Do
- consider wearing a swimming cap or using ear plugs if you’re a regular swimmer – but make sure you insert ear plugs carefully and don’t use them if they irritate your ears
- if earwax build-up is a problem, have it removed by a healthcare professional
- keep your ears dry and clean
- turn your head from side to side after getting out of water – this helps water drain from your ears
Don’t
- do not insert cotton wool buds or other things into your ears (including your fingers) – this can damage the sensitive skin in your ear canal
- do not swim in polluted water
You should also try to avoid getting water, soap or shampoo into your ears when you have a shower or bath.
Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.