Otitis Externa: tips for a summer without ear problems
Summer means heat, high temperatures and diving into the water.
Young and old go to swimming pools and seas for swimming and marine activities.
At the same time, it is the season when an increase in cases of otitis externa is recorded.
Otitis externa (or swimmer’s ear) is called the inflammation of the external auditory canal of the ear and occurs at all ages
- The most common cause is bacterial infection and rarely fungal
- Various predisposing factors have been described: swimming, humidity, trauma, hearing aids, dermatological diseases, anatomical peculiarities / obstruction of the external auditory canal, radiotherapy/chemotherapy, stress, immunosuppression.
- The clinical picture varies. Patients complain of itching and pain that usually worsens with traction on the flap. Otorrhea, lymphadenopathy, a feeling of fullness, tinnitus, hearing loss, and fever may occur.
- The ENT will clean the external auditory canal and administer ear drops, analgesics, and rarely oral antibiotics.
Some useful tips for preventing otitis externa are as follows:
- Wear a cap or earplugs to prevent excessive water from entering the ear if you are prone to external otitis
- Avoid swimming in unclean water, such as lakes or rivers, as this increases the risk of ear infection with harmful microbes.
- Dry the ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing at home with a clean towel. If you feel there is still water, use a hair dryer on the lowest setting, from a distance, and dry the ears for a few seconds. This will help remove any remaining moisture.
- Do not use cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ears, as this can cause injury. See an ENT to safely remove the wax from your ears.
- If you develop ear infections, avoid swimming and contact with water until symptoms subside and consult your doctor.
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