Dorothy FarrarEar canal inflammation
Inflammation of the auditory canal , also known as otitis externa in technical terms , is an infection of the skin in the auditory canal. It is caused by the smallest injuries and by the penetration of various pathogens. The ear canal infection should be treated as soon as possible to avoid complications.
What is ear canal inflammation (otitis externa)?
An ear canal infection (otitis externa) is inflammation of the skin in the outer ear canal. If the skin is broken or if fungi or bacteria have penetrated, this can cause an infection.
Ear canal infections are common and very painful. It is usually limited to the ear canal, but it can happen that the pinna is also affected. Inflammation of the auditory canal can occur on one side or on both sides at the same time.
causes
The causes of ear canal inflammation are usually small injuries to the skin, allergic reactions or the penetration of fungi, viruses or bacteria. Inflammation of the auditory canal is triggered particularly often when swimming, which has led to the medical term “swimmer’s ear”.
Contaminated water flows into the ear and stays there for a while because it cannot drain away immediately. If there are the smallest injuries in the skin of the auditory canal, for example due to improper cleaning with ear swabs, the bacteria can penetrate and infect the skin.
Cleaning the ear too often can also cause otitis externa. Earwax has the function of cleaning and has an antibacterial effect. If the ear is cleaned too often, the protection provided by the lard is no longer given.
Another possible cause of an ear infection is a middle ear infection (otitis media) that spreads to the outer ear. Excessive production of earwax can also cause an ear canal infection if it blocks the duct and prevents the ear from cleaning itself.
When to the doctor?
Inflammation of the ear canal is usually manifested by clear symptoms. If a mild to severe itching in the ear is suddenly noticed, which may be associated with a discharge, this requires medical evaluation. Other warning signs that require medical advice include a burning earache, a red ear canal, and pain when chewing or speaking. Anyone who notices one or more of these symptoms should consult a doctor immediately.
If a hearing loss is found at the same time, a visit to the doctor is particularly urgent. The inflamed skin of the ear canal may already be swollen and blocking the ear canal. To ensure the health of the inner ear and to rule out further complications, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Babies and small children as well as the elderly and pregnant women should immediately go to the nearest clinic if they have symptoms. In case of bleeding or severe pain, an emergency doctor should be consulted. If left untreated, ear infection can lead to hearing loss and spread of infection.
symptoms and course
Possible symptoms of an ear infection:
- ear itching
- Running in the ears (secretion flows out of the ear)
The first symptom of ear canal inflammation is usually severe itching in the ear. In the further course, pain develops , at first only when pulling on the auricle and when chewing, later the ear hurts permanently and very severely. The external auditory canal extends from the eardrum to the beginning of the auricle, is curved in an S-shape and consists of cartilaginous and bony parts.
The skin in the outer ear canal is hairy and contains glands that produce earwax. If it becomes inflamed, swelling can cause constriction where wax collects, blocking the opening and reducing hearing. The formation of ear secretion is also possible (running ears). If the ear canal infection is not treated, it can lead to complications. An abscess may develop, or the infection may spread to the bone and cause nerve paralysis.
Diagnose
In order to diagnose an ear canal infection, the doctor will first take the medical history, because the history and the existing symptoms can already lead to the suspicion of this disease. A physical examination is also carried out. The doctor will check whether the ear and the auricle are sensitive to pressure or tension. The inside of the ear is examined with an otoscope.
In the case of an existing otitis externa, redness and swelling can be seen there, as well as any secretion that may be present. A hearing test can be used to measure whether the ability to hear is impaired. With a smear of the secretion, the type of pathogen can be determined in the laboratory. In addition, a blood test is also possible in the event of an ear canal infection, with which an infection in the body can be detected.
complications
The complications that can arise from an ear canal infection are highly dependent on the damage to the skin in the affected area and the exact type of pathogen. Frequent scratching and further irritation of the affected area increases the risk of developing complications. For example, the infection can spread to the eardrum and cause inflammation there. This can impair hearing, cause pain or even rupture the eardrum . Very rarely, infection spreads to the bone marrow at the base of the skull and causes individual nerve failure, which can lead to cognitive or motor deficits and impair organ function.
Auricular eczema is a relatively common complication and denotes severe damage to the upper layers of tissue. It can be promoted by bacteria and fungi, begin to fester and cause symptoms such as itching. If the ear canal infection becomes chronic, necrosis of the adjacent soft tissues can occur. The auricle is also particularly at risk here. Hearing ability is also reduced by swelling and tissue death. In people with metabolic diseases or a weakened immune system, the disease can damage the surrounding cartilage or bones. This also applies to the auditory ossicles.
treatment and therapy
The treatment of ear canal inflammation depends on the cause and the severity. Bacterial infections are usually treated with an antibiotic ointment. For fungal infections, antifungal ointments or drops are used. In addition, the auditory canal is cleaned and freed from deposits and secretion deposits.
An ointment containing cortisone can be prescribed to counteract the swelling . The ear should be kept dry during the treatment of otitis externa.
After showering or bathing, it is advisable to dry your ears with a hair dryer with lukewarm air and a gentle air flow. Painkillers are prescribed to relieve the pain. The disease requires a particularly careful approach in diabetics, as they tend to develop inflammation, which often persists very stubbornly.
For example, diabetics, but also patients who are already suffering from an advanced ear canal infection, are prescribed additional antibiotics in tablet form or as an infusion. Since chewing is painful, soft food is recommended. If pus has already formed in the ear, this is surgically removed so that the inflammation can heal.
prevention
You can prevent an ear infection by not cleaning the ear excessively with cotton swabs and not penetrating them too deeply. It is sufficient to gently remove any earwax that may be present in the external auditory canal. In addition, it is important to dry the ears well after contact with water to prevent the development of an ear canal infection.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.