What is otitis externa and how does it present?
Otitis externa refers to an infection of the skin lying in the ear canal. Most of the time otitis externa is linked to swimming or water exposure. Outer ear infections can be fungal or bacterial in nature. Bacterial ear infections usually occur with pain, liquid or mucous ear drainage, redness of external ear, and possible fever. Meanwhile fungal ear infections may present with thick opaque ear discharge, itching, or may even be asymptomatic.
How is otitis externa managed?
Traditionally, otitis externa is treated with otologic drops which can be antibacterial or antifungal in nature. Additionally, avoiding excessive water exposure, keeping the ears dry and applying pH balancing ear drops prior to swimming can aid in preventing outer ear infections from occurring.
