If you suffer from otitis externa that accompanied the emergence of "acne" in the ear canal, do not push it because it was feared could make the infection spread.Otitis externa usually affects one ear only. The condition affects an estimated 10 percent of the human population on earth experienced by groups of adults in the age range of 45-75 years with the number of women more than men.
Based on the period of time he felt symptoms, otitis externa is divided into two, namely acute and chronic. In cases of chronic otitis externa, symptoms can last for months or even years, but the pain or discomfort in the ear perceived usually milder than acute otitis externa.
The cause of otitis externa
Otitis externa is usually caused by bacteria. Fungi and viruses can also cause this disease. In general, bacteria or fungus infects the skin soft part of the outer ear canal that has been irritated by the water. That's why the disease otitis externa often referred to as a disease "swimmer's ear".
In addition to the water, the external ear canal can also be irritated by or due to:
- Crumbs from the outside (eg sand).
- Too often cleaning the ears.
- The side effects of the use of hearing aids.
- Complications of other ear disease (eg eczema of the ear canal).
- If you frequently swim, especially on the water are not routinely cleaned (such as lakes).
- If you live in humid and warm climates.
- If the outside of your ear canal lined by lots of hair.
- If you have the ear canal with a size much smaller than the normal size.
- If you are suffering from an ear infection.
- If the production of earwax you little or nothing at all.
- If you've been exposed to otitis externa.
The diagnosis of otitis externa
In diagnosing otitis externa, the doctor will usually use a tool called an otoscope to examine the inside of the ear. This examination is of course done after the doctor asks the symptoms experienced by the patient and the magnitude of the risk of otitis externa (eg how often the patient's ears are exposed to water, did the patient use a hearing aid, or how often a patient uses an electronic device that is worn on the ear directly).
In order to provide the right medicine, the doctor needs to know what type of infection that cause otitis externa, for example, whether due to bacteria or fungi. To determine this, the doctor will usually perform a biopsy or test can by wiping the infected to further researched in the laboratory.
Treatment of otitis externa
In general, patients with otitis externa be prescribed eardrops with content that has been adjusted on the cause. For example if the infection is caused by a fungus, then the doctor will prescribe drops containing antifungal. Vice versa, if otitis externa is caused by bacteria, then drugs containing antibiotics will be given to the patient. To relieve the inflammation, the doctor will usually prescribe ear drops containing steroids.
So that absorption of the drug in the ear canal can function optimally, then the doctor will also check beforehand to ensure no blockage due to lumps of dirt, exfoliation, and so forth. If indeed there is a blockage, the doctor will clean it up.
It's important to always obey the instructions for use and dosage schedule eardrops, either from your doctor or from the information contained on the packaging of a drug for the treatment to be effective and you avoid unwanted side effects.
In cases of otitis externa are accompanied by pain, the doctor will also include pain medication according to the severity of the pain. Examples of pain medications, in antararanya:
- ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)
- naproxen
To be able to run faster healing, it is recommended to protect your ears so as not to take in water during the treatment of otitis externa, for example by clogging the ears when showering and avoid swimming or diving. Also, avoid wearing a hearing aid or other electronic devices are placed in the ear before the pain subsides and do not travel by plane to the conditions of otitis externa declared cured by a doctor.
Symptoms of otitis externa usually will subside after a few days of treatment. But in some cases, new symptoms will subside after a few months or longer. If otitis externa can not be treated with ear drops, doctors can replace it with oral antibiotics.
Complications of otitis externa
Complications are usually more at risk occurs in patients with chronic otitis externa, although in fact it is also considered rare. Some of the complications associated with the disease otitis externa is:
- Narrowing of the ear canal can cause hearing becomes impaired due to a pile of dry skin.
- Ear abscess with symptoms of ear pain and pus.
- Inflammation of the eardrum with symptoms of pain or discomfort in the ear, ear suppuration, buzzed, and temporarily lost hearing. Even an accumulation of pus in the ear can cause a risk of perforation or perforated eardrum.
- Malignant otitis externa can cause earaches and headaches were unbearable, facial nerve paralysis, even death. Malignant otitis externa occurs when the infection has spread to the bones surrounding the ear canal due to weak immune systems of patients otitis externa.
- Cellulitis or skin infection with symptoms in the area around the ear becomes red, hot, pain, and palpable soft. Moreover, it can happen body chills, trembling, and nausea. This condition occurs when bacteria get into the deeper layers of the skin through a wound due to the condition of otitis externa.
Prevention of otitis externa
Otitis externa can be prevented by applying the following simple steps at home, including:
- Keep ears clean and dry.
- Avoid the occurrence of injuries in your ear, for example, by careful when cleaning the ears with cotton buds.
- Prevent yourself from an ear infection and treated promptly if you experience it.
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