Swimmer’s Ear
Posted in Hearing on November 10, 2010
A recent entry on MSN.com highlights a common ailment seen in ENT- otitis externa, more commonly known as Swimmer’s Ear. Contrary to the name, Swimmer’s Ear is not limited individuals who swim or those who are exposed to a lot of water: it can affect anyone. Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal, and it can be bacterial or fungal in nature. Water exposure is a risk factor, since stagnant water within the ear canal can harbor bacteria. Another risk factor is scratching or rubbing the ear canal with items such as Q-tips. The rubbing or scratching can cause trauma to the ear canal skin and remove protective oils from the skin surface, causing the lining to become more prone to infection. The most common symptom of otitis externa is a persistent itch within the ear. As the infection progresses, pain and swelling increases, and foul-smelling, discolored fluid may begin to drain from the canal. On rare occasions the infection may cause the ear canal to swell up and close off. Pain and swelling can also spread to the surrounding areas of the face. If an infection is caught early on, it can be easily treated by placing several drops of a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and rubbing alcohol into the ear. More serious or persistent infections require evaluation by a physician, and may require treatment with an antibiotic or antifungal ear drop.
Sincerely,
Nilesh Shah, MD