Otitis externa is an inflammation of the external ear. Usually bacterial microorganisms lead to the development of an ailment. However, sometimes there are other factors. According to statistics, acute external otitis affects every 4-5 people out of 1000. At the same time, 3-5% have a chronic form of the disease. To prevent the process from becoming chronic, it is very important to consult a doctor at the first manifestations.
Classification of microbes
External otitis is considered a fairly common pathology, which requires adequate medical care. According to the ICD-10, this ailment is coded under the code H60 "External Otitis".
Causes of
Depending on the nature of the appearance, otitis externa may have an infectious or non-infectious origin. The first group of factors include streptococci, fungal microorganisms, staphylococci. The development of the disease can also lead Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
To other factors that can cause the appearance of the disease, include the following:
- Violation of the rules of care for the ears. Otitis can occur with too frequent cleaning or vice versa its absence. Sometimes people use toothpicks or other devices that can injure the ear for this purpose. Too deep cleansing can lead to ear damage and infection.
- Violation of sulfur production. If there is a deficit of this substance, there are problems with protecting the ear from microbes. However, the appearance of sulfur plugs also creates favorable conditions for infection.
- Water and foreign objects. The water contains harmful microorganisms that can cause otitis media. Foreign objects lead to trauma to the skin, which creates conditions for the development of infection.
- Weakened immune system. It can lead to a variety of factors - chronic diseases, frequent colds, anomalies of the immune system.
- Infectious lesions of organs that are in the region of the external auditory canal. To the appearance of this disease can lead to eczema, mumps.
- Use of medications that suppress immunity. The cause of otitis may be a prolonged use of antibiotics or a violation of their dosage.
Symptoms of external otitis
Manifestations of external otitis media depend on the form of this ailment. To the general symptoms that are present in any type of disease, the following can be attributed:
- increase in painful sensations when touching the auricle;
- pain in one ear;
- sensation of congestion in the ears;
- appearance of itching in the ear;
- swelling of the ear canal;
- enlarged lymph nodes behind the ears;
- purulent discharge.
Symptoms in children
When otitis externa appears in children, pain usually appears in the area of the affected ear. At the same time, babies cry and become more moody.
Babies have increased anxiety, loss of appetite, as sucking hurts them. Older children, too, can refuse to eat, because they are very painful to chew.
Types of
Manifestations and methods for treating external otitis media directly depend on the form of the disease. Currently, quite a few varieties of pathology are known.
Photo of different types of external otitis
Acute
The acute form of the disease represents an inflammatory lesion of the external passage, which provokes intense pain. The patient may have an increase in body temperature and ejaculation.
Diffuse
This type of otitis is characterized by extensive damage to the tissues of the auditory canal. Sometimes a diffuse form of the disease affects the tympanic membrane.
The most common cause of such otitis is the ingress of water into the ear. It leads to liquefaction of the ear contents and creates conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
Fungal
This form of pathology is rare. Fungal otitis accounts for less than 10% of all cases of this ailment. With Otomycosis, the person's well-being remains normal.
The main symptom is a feeling of itching or a slight pain in the ear. In more rare cases, there are discharges. During the examination, the doctor reveals white plaque or black fungal contents.
Limited
This form is characterized by inflammation of the outer ear tissues, which manifests itself in the form of carbuncles or furuncles. Such formations are caused by the defeat of the sebaceous glands.
They can also be the result of infection of hair pouches or local abscesses that appear as a result of damage. The causative agent of this form of the disease usually becomes Staphylococcus aureus.
Malignant
This type of external otitis media is also called necrotizing. This is a very serious pathology that affects not only the skin, but also the cartilaginous tissue of the external ear. As a consequence, tissue necrosis may develop.
Purulent
With the development of a purulent form of external otitis, discharge from the ear appears. Initially, there is a small amount of purulent secretion, while gradually the disease progresses and the discharge becomes much larger.
Chronic
This diagnosis is made if the duration of the disease exceeds a month or during the year there are more than 4 relapses of the disease.
Chronic otitis usually results from the lack of adequate therapy in the acute form of the disease. Sometimes, systematic cleaning of the ear canals leads to it with cotton buds, which provokes removal of the protective layer of sulfur and damage to the tissues of the auditory canal.
Treatment and Feedback
The main goal of therapy is to eliminate infection. Therefore, the treatment includes the following components:
- Toilet of the ear canal. To ensure the full effect of local medicines on the affected area, you need to clear the auditory passage from sulfur, purulent secretions and skin particles. To do this, the doctor moistens the tampons in hydrogen peroxide or furatsilene, and then gently cleanses the ears.
- Use of topical medications. Specialists prescribe drops for the ears, which contain antibiotics. They help to cope with the infection. Also, local remedies with corticosteroids are often used, as they eliminate inflammation and swelling.
- Antibacterial drugs. In difficult cases, the doctor can prescribe systemic antibiotics. Such agents can be used orally or administered intramuscularly.
Features during pregnancy
Treatment of external otitis in pregnancy should start with the use of local medicines. If the disease is purulent, accompanied by an increase in temperature and a strong pain syndrome, systemic antibiotics are used.
In doing so, be sure to inform the doctor about the pregnancy, so that he has picked up a harmless remedy.
For local therapy of external otitis, vasoconstrictive nasal drops are also prescribed. They successfully cope with swelling in the area of the auditory tubes and improve the condition of patients. However, during pregnancy, such drugs should be used with caution, since there is a risk of constriction of the vessels of the placenta. Usually, doctors advise using drops that are intended for children.
If there are purulent discharge, this indicates problems with the tympanic membrane. In such a situation, the drops can not be used, since this is fraught with deterioration of hearing.
How to treat children
If you have any signs of ailment in your child, you need to contact LOR.The protective mechanisms in infants are imperfect, because the absence of treatment can lead to negative consequences.
In general, children are prescribed the same medications as adults. However, some medicines are contraindicated for children, so self-treatment is prohibited.
When burrowing the ear drops, the shell should not be pulled up, as adults do. Movement must be done down and back.
Often in children, otitis externa is the result of viral diseases and adenoiditis. These conditions also require treatment.
What is the risk of otitis
If you do not start taking external otitis therapy in time, there is a risk of developing dangerous health effects. In particular, the process can become chronic with persistent relapses.
Complications of
External otitis rarely provokes serious complications. However, in some cases it still leads to negative consequences. These include the following:
- temporary hearing loss;
- recurrent infectious external ear infection;
- disorders of bone tissue and cartilage;
- infection of other tissues.
Prophylaxis of
To prevent the development of external otitis media, it is necessary to prevent it:
- ensure proper care of the ears;Do not use
- for cleaning with sharp objects;
- does not remove sulfur fuses;
- prevent ingress of water into the ears.
Otitis externa is a common pathology, which can cause negative consequences. To prevent this from happening, at the first manifestations of the disorder it is worth turning to an otorhinolaryngologist who will prescribe the optimal therapy.