External otitis (swimmer’s ear) is an infection in the outer ear canal. It’s most common in children under the age of 15 and usually occurs after long periods of contact with water. It is not contagious.
Another cause is scratching the ear canal, e.g., when trying to clean the ears.
Sometimes the pus from otitis media (middle ear infection) can drain into the canal and cause external otitis; Diagnoses and Treatments – Hear – Ears – Ear Infections – Otitis Media.
Decreased hearing.
Earache.
Itching.
Pain which increases when ear is pulled.
Red, swollen canal.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Thick drainage from the ear canal.
Keep ear dry if possible.
Warm compress to soothe the ear.
Pharmaceuticals:
Antibiotic ear drops, e.g., cortisporin 2 to 3 drops in the ear 4 times a day for 7 to 10 days.
Antibiotic, oral for severe cases: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
NSAIDs.
Dry your ears thoroughly.
Keep all objects out of your ear canals.
Medicated ear drops after swimming.
Otitis media (middle ear infection) is the inflammation of the middle ear. It is most common in children and is usually associated with an earache.
Dull appearance of eardrum (normally shiny and grayish).
Earache.
Fever.
Fluid from ear.
Hearing loss.
Holding or pulling the affected ear.
Loss of appetite.
Loss of balance.
Pain, especially when lying down.
Serious symptoms more common in adults.
Will usually self-resolve within 8 days.
A heat pack may soothe.
Pharmaceuticals:
Antibiotics if fever, no improvement within 72 hours, pain increase, symptoms of cold and/or re-occurring infections: amoxicillin/clavulanate 500 mg every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days or 875 mg every 12 hours for serious cases.
Antibiotics, other: amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalexin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.
Alternative/Natural Remedies:
Clove oil and sesame oil: mix 3 drops of pure clove oil in 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, warm it up and apply in ear.
Garlic and olive oil:
Ø Crush a clove of garlic and mix with a teaspoon of hot olive oil for five minutes.
Ø Strain out the garlic.
Ø Once cooled, put a few drops at a time into your ear canal.
Hydrotherapy:
Ø This will help drain and soothe the ear.
Ø Put a warm compress on the ear for 5 minutes, then a cold one for one minute.
Ø Repeat sequence five times, always ending with the cold.
Dry ears thoroughly.
Keep all objects out of your ear canals.
Refrain from bottle/breast feeding with infant lying flat.
Ear wax is technically known as cerumen. It is normal and protective in healthy ears as it traps dust particles before they can reach the ear drum. Sometimes there can be a lot of buildup of cerumen, which may result in a blocked ear and therefore impaired hearing.
Prevention of this build up is regular cleaning of ears, but do not use cotton swabs as you are more likely to just push the wax in further. Also, sticking anything in your ear may lead to a perforated ear drum and/or otitis media; Diagnoses and Treatments – Head – Ears.
A much safer alternative is to use a twisted up wet towel after your daily shower.
Earache.
Impaired hearing.
Itching.
Odor or discharge.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
Soften the wax, e.g., a few drops of warm olive oil.
Wait ten minutes then irrigate using a bulb syringe filled with warm water.
Tilt the ear you are irrigating slightly toward the floor so gravity will direct the water out of your ear.
Pull the external ear up and back.
Aim the syringe slightly up and back in the ear canal when squirting.
You may have to do the olive oil treatment 3 times a day for a few days in stubborn cases.
Any number of foreign bodies may enter the ear, e.g., dirt, insects etc. Luckily, the ear canal is very sensitive so the patient will usually notice if something is in there.
Symptoms of a Foreign Body in the Ear
Bleeding.
Discomfort.
Impaired hearing.
Nausea or vomiting if it’s a live insect.
Sense of fullness in the ear.
If the foreign body is not removed, or goes unnoticed, it may lead to an ear infection. Signs of this are swelling or a foul discharge; Diagnoses and Treatments – Head – Ears – Ear Infections – Otitis Media.
Treatment for a Foreign Body in the Ear
Don’t probe or jab.
Irrigate (bulb syringe or similar) with warm drinking grade water; Diagnoses and Treatments – Head – Ears – Ear Wax.
Do not irrigate in the case of a perforated eardrum.
Consider extracting object with forceps, irrigation is usually preferred.
Insects:
Shine a light to coax them out.
If that doesn’t work, kill the insect with alcohol, 2 % lidocaine or mineral oil and then remove as usual.
A perforated eardrum is when the eardrum gets ruptured or punctured. It may be caused by air pressure changes, e.g., flying with a severe cold, ear infection, explosion, loud noises, surgery, trauma.
Symptoms of a Perforated Eardrum
Can be seen with an otoscope, unless infection blocks vision.
Earache.
Hearing loss.
Mucus discharge.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Treatment for a Perforated Eardrum
Usually self-heals within weeks.
Keep ear clean and dry while healing, e.g., cotton balls in ear whilst showering, no swimming.
Treat infection if needed; Diagnoses and Treatments – Head – Ears – Ear Infections – Otitis Media.