Low urgency
Very common-
It is defined as inflammation of the skin of the external auditory canal, also known as “swimmer’s ear”.
It is caused by infection, either from bacteria or from fungi.
It is usually manifested as inflammation of the canal, ear pain (otalgia), deafness, pus discharge, and fever.
Diagnosis will be made by taking a medical history and physical examination, including an examination of the ear with an otoscope.
The main treatment goals are managing pain (painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs), treating the infection (topical antibiotics) and preventing recurrence (use drops of rubbing alcohol after swimming).
- Laura A Goguen. External otitis: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. UpToDate. Sep 19, 2014.
- Laura A Goguen. External otitis: Treatment. UpToDate. Sep 04, 2015.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Estimated burden of acute otitis externa--United States, 2003-2007. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011; 60:605.
- Rosenfeld RM, Schwartz SR, Cannon CR, et al. Clinical practice guideline: acute otitis externa. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014; 150:S1.
- Llor C, McNulty CA, Butler CC. Ordering and interpreting ear swabs in otitis externa. BMJ 2014; 349:g5259.
- Rubin MA y cols. Infecciones de vías respiratorias superiores. Harrison. Manual de Medicina. 16º edición. 256-260.
Dr. Elvira Moreno
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