External otitis is an inflammatory disease that develops from the outside of the ear canal. Everyone can face it. However, the risk group includes people with impaired immunity, swimmers and persons with chronic illnesses. Despite the fact that the disease does not lead to serious complications, however, it has a marked effect on health.
Risk Categories
Among the persons susceptible to the disease, the following groups are distinguished:
- children;
- suffering from eczema, at which erosion may develop;
- Those who have a sulfur plug ;
- people with a narrow auditory canal;
- persons with weak immunity.
Otitis of the external ear - species
There are two forms of this disease:
- diffuse otitis media;
- limited otitis media.
With a limited form, a furuncle is formed in the auditory meatus, which is not detected when viewed. On his presence may indicate pain when touching the ear or during chewing. After a while, the furuncle bursts, and the pain disappears.
Diffuse otitis is accompanied by inflammatory processes throughout the auditory canal. The causative agents of the disease are streptococci or other bacteria that penetrate the body through minute cracks and wounds if the skin is damaged as a result of ear cleansing. Factors affecting the development of this form of otitis include:
- allergy;
- thermal or chemical burns;
- disturbance of metabolic processes.
Restricted otitis externa - symptoms
The main signs indicating the development of inflammation include:
- pain that can be given in the teeth, eyes, neck, head and strengthen during conversation and chewing;
- a noticeable increase in the auricle, the appearance of swelling;
- an increase in lymph nodes located in the area of the affected ear;
- symptoms of general intoxication of the body (fever, fever).
External diffuse otitis media
The symptoms of otitis in this case are due to the presence of a furuncle and are manifested thus:
- burning and itching of the skin;
- discharge purulent from the ear;
- pain that occurs when touching the tragus.
To identify changes in otitis spend otoscopy. In acute diffuse external otitis, there are:
- decrease in the size of the auditory meatus;
- infiltration of skin in the membranous-cartilaginous region;
- hyperemia (increased blood flow) of the tympanic membrane;
- accumulation of pus and torn epithelium.
The chronic form is accompanied by a thickening of the epidermis of the membrane and auditory passage.
How to treat otitis externa?
For the treatment of limited otitis, the patient is prescribed:
- turuns with boric acid in combination with glycerol;
- ointment Mupirocin;
- antipyretic and analgesics.
To combat the diffuse form of the disease, a complex treatment is applied, providing for:
- the use of a vitamin rich food;
- anti-inflammatory measures;
- antimicrobial therapy (ointment mupirocin);
- Physiotherapy, including laser, UHF and ultraviolet treatment.
With the allocation of pus appoint:
- washing of the ear with myramistin solution;
- dusting with powdered boric alcohol;
- when suspected of relapse appoint antibiotics.
To surgical intervention in the treatment of external otitis media resorted to in the following cases:
- with increased pain;
- ripening of the boil;
- in case of danger of lymph node involvement.
Prevention of external otitis media
To prevent the disease, observing the correct technique when cleaning the ears . After all, even with the help of a conventional cotton swab, you can compact the accumulated sulfur and damage the skin. When swimming, it is important to protect the ears from water. The ingress of moisture can activate inflammatory processes.