Causes of otitis externa

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi An - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Otitis externa is an acute or chronic inflammatory condition that occurs in all ages and is common in areas with hot and humid climates like Vietnam. The disease can also occur due to a polluted environment or the habit of picking your ears with unclean tools that scratch the skin that protects the ear canal, creating conditions for bacteria and fungi to enter and cause inflammation.

1. What is otitis externa?

Otitis externa refers to inflammation of the skin covering the outer ear canal, usually caused by bacteria or, in rare cases, by fungi. The ear cavity extends from the eardrum to the outer part of the ear.

2. Clinical forms of otitis externa

Otitis externa can be caused by many factors. Clinical forms of otitis media include:

2.1 Localized otitis externa

This is an infection of the hair follicles in the ear canal, usually caused by staphylococcus (Staphylococcus). Patients often present with severe pain in the ear canal, which increases when pressing on the area in front of the ear or pulling on the earlobe

2.2 Diffuse otitis externa

An ear infection caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses, but most commonly caused by Pseudomonas

2.3 Malignant otitis externa

Malignant otitis externa is a severe, potentially fatal, necrotizing inflammatory disease commonly seen in patients with diabetes mellitus or immunocompromised patients. The cause is usually caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing necrotizing inflammation and spreading destruction of surrounding oral tissue structures, which can spread to the skull base leading to neurological complications causing paralysis, meningitis, brain abscess

3. Causes of otitis externa

Otitis externa can occur in anyone because of the following reasons:
Swimming is a common cause of illness because unclean water contains Pseudomonas and other bacteria that cause infections of the outer ear canal. . Therefore, people who swim often or swim in low-quality water, especially children with narrow ear canals that easily retain water in the ears, are at an increased risk of otitis externa. Injury to the lining of the ear canal There are foreign objects such as toys, insects, stuck in the ear canal Habit of using cotton swabs or iron tools to clean the ear canal, but too strong movements lead to damage to the lining of the ear canal . People who use headphones too much or hearing aids are also easy to cause ear infections. There are also other causes of chronic otitis externa such as allergies to objects in the ear or chronic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

4. Symptoms of otitis externa

Common manifestations of otitis externa are:
Redness of the skin in the ear canal, itching in the ear Ear pain when touching the earlobes, pain may spread to the neck, face or head area Ear discharge or sensation water in the ear Swelling around the ear, swelling of the outer ear canal Hearing loss, feeling of heaviness, fullness of the ear Systemic manifestations may be fever

5. Measures to prevent otitis externa

Measures to prevent otitis externa include:
For frequent swimmers: It is necessary to choose a swimming pool with clean water quality, clean the ear canal after swimming with a clean towel, earplugs when swimming or tilting the head to water comes out after swimming. The ear canal can be dried with a dryer about 30cm away from the ear and blowing air from back to front. Do not abuse earrings because it can cause dirt from the outside to enter the ear canal, creating conditions for bacteria to grow, causing ear infections. Master. Doctor. Nguyen Thi An, former Head of Pediatrics Department, Quang Ninh General Hospital, is a person who is very passionate about health care for children and successfully treats many difficult cases. Currently, is a Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Department of Neonatology at Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

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