Live Life Team
Diagnosis
If you suspect having otitis extena consult a doctor immediately. Enquiries will be carried out to check if any insertion is done in ears like ear plugs or hearing aids.
Using a instrument with light called otoscope your doctor shall examine ear canal and outer ear, to check for any inflammation or redness, perforation in the ear drum, fungal infection and flaky skin. If medication precribed initially have failed to treat and also there is recurrence of otitis externa. A sample from ear is taken using a ear swab. After analyzing the sample and confirming whether it is a fungal or bacterial infection right medication will be prescribed by the doctor.
Treatment
There are many simple medications available to treat otitis externa. In case of local otitis externa no treatment is required as it will clear itself. Whichever otitis externa type is present, certain tips should be followed to help your treatment. The details of which are mentioned below:
General advice to be followed for all kinds of otitis externa
Avoid affected ear getting wet, wear shower cap during bathing and showering. Remove discharge by swabbing gently the ear using a cotton wool, be careful and do not damage it.
Anything allergic reaction like earrings, hearing aids and ear plugs
Treat conditions like eczema, psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis that might aggravate otitis externa,
Painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol can be used to releive ear pain. Consult doctor before usage,
In case you have allergic disposition consult a doctor, he will prescribe you drops suitable to your condition.
Treatment for local otitis externa
Local otitis externa can heal itself with in some time. Painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol can be used to relieve pain. This is not recommended if you have asthmatic or stomach ulcers. Children below the age of 16 are not recommended to take aspirin. Even without any treatment there is possibility for the boil or pimple in the ear to eventually breaks, heals and drains itself, but it can be painful. If local otitis externa hasn’t healed in a week time. You need to consult a doctor who shall recommend oral antibiotics in case of severe infection. Draining the pus also can be done if the boil or pimple gets painful. It is done by using surgical needle.
Treatment for the acute diffuse type otitis externa
In case of Acute diffuse type of otitis externa pain can be relieved by painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol. An ear drop containing an antibiotic mix or antifungal preparation, corticosteroid preparation, acidic or astringent preparation is prescribed by the doctor. In case of severe condition of acute diffuse otitis externa specialist treatment will be referred involving microsuction process for cleaning up the ear. It is a tiny suction device often used for removing ear wax, debris and discharge from outer ear canal and ear. This lets the ear drop work efficiently. A ear wick can also be needed. This is soft gauze plug of cotton covered with medicine covered to it and inserted in the ear canal. But one should ensure to change it regularly within two to three days.
Treatment for chronic type of otitis externa
The exact cause of chronic type o otitis externa is not known yet. A topical mixture is prescribed as an ear drop for one week. These drops contain corticosteroid with no antibiotic in it. The spray of Acetic acid is also prescribed along with ear drops. Treatment continues for 3-2 months as this condition stays long. Antifungal ear drops are prescribed if condition does not improve after 3-2 month’s time. Underlying skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis result in chronic otitis externa . Doctors usually prescribe treatment to cure the underlying conditions instead of otitis externa. Topical antifungal mixture as ear drop is prescribed in case of any fungal infection. A specialist treatment will be required if there is no improvement in the condition after following the prescribed treatment of the doctor or if there is a danger for ear canal to close or due to allergic reaction, one skin patch test is required to check the allergen.
