What is non-allergic rhinitis? How effective is the treatment?
Doctor Su Ngoc Kieu Chinh's article on Non-allergic Rhinitis. What are the symptoms? How to treat and prevent disease
Otitis externa, also known as otitis externa, is a common disease of the ear. It occurs most commonly in children, adolescents, and adults who swim a lot. Otitis externa usually resolves on its own, but in some cases it can progress dangerously. The following article will show the symptoms of otitis externa. As well as any danger signs that you need to take your child to the doctor right away. It also lists simple things you can do to protect your family from this disease.
content
1. What is otitis externa?
>> Watch the following video to see if you finally have otitis externa or not?
Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear canal and the outer ear canal. The outer ear canal is the part that extends from the ear opening to the eardrum.
Otitis externa by itself is not contagious.
Figure 1: Anatomy of the human ear
2. Causes of otitis externa
Swimming can lead to otitis externa. Because water in the ear canal becomes a place for bacteria to grow.
Infection can also occur when the thin layer of skin lining the inside of the ear canal is damaged. Scratching the ear canal, using inappropriate headphones, or picking at the ear with a cotton swab can all damage this delicate protective layer. When this layer of skin is damaged, bacteria can enter and cause inflammation of the outer ear canal.
Earwax is the ear's natural defense against infection. But frequent wetness or abrasions to the skin of the ear canal can cause earwax to no longer perform its protective function. This makes infection more likely.
Figure 2: Self-rotating with a cotton swab can damage the skin of the ear canal and lead to otitis externa
3. Who is most at risk?
Anyone can get otitis externa, but the following people are most at risk:
>> Wearing hearing aids is one of the causes of otitis externa. So what is a hearing aid? When do you need a hearing aid?
Figure 3: Swimming is the biggest risk factor for otitis externa
4. Signs of otitis externa
Symptoms of otitis externa include:
Severe pain in the face, head, or neck can be a sign that the infection has progressed significantly. Accompanying symptoms such as fever or painful swelling of the lymph nodes may indicate a more serious infection. If you have ear symptoms that go along with these symptoms, you should see your doctor right away.
>> Ear pain is one of the symptoms that you have an otitis externa. What are the common causes of ear pain ? Find out now!
Figure 4: Ear pain is a common manifestation of otitis externa
5. What is the difference between otitis externa in children and adults?
Children, especially those who often swim and play in water, are at higher risk of otitis externa. At the same time, children's ear canals are smaller than adults, making it more difficult for water to drain out of the ears. This increases the risk of ear infections.
Ear pain is the most common symptom of otitis externa. In children who are not yet able to speak, there may be signs of:
>> Inflammation of the outer ear canal can affect a child's hearing. Read the article about recognizing and dealing with children's hearing problems as soon as possible!
Figure 5: Babies crying when they touch their ears can be a sign of otitis externa
6. Complications and dangerous signs of otitis externa
If otitis externa is left untreated and cannot heal on its own, it can lead to dangerous complications. If you fall into the following cases, you should see a doctor immediately for timely treatment.
Immunocompromised people are more likely to get sick. In these cases, if left untreated, it can lead to death. This is a medical emergency, symptoms include:
7. How is otitis externa diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose otitis externa by asking about your symptoms and observing them with an otoscope. In some cases, the doctor may order an otoscope to look inside more closely.
Figure 6: Observation with an otoscope – Source: Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck
8. How to treat otitis externa?
Otitis externa can go away on its own without any treatment.
If it doesn't go away on its own, it can usually be treated well with antibiotic ear drops.
Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory ear drops to reduce swelling in the ear canal. These ear drops are usually used several times a day, for 7 to 10 days.
If otitis externa is caused by a fungus, your doctor will prescribe antifungal ear drops. Fungal otitis externa usually occurs in diabetics or immunocompromised individuals.
To relieve symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to keep the ears dry. The infection can then heal faster.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can relieve ear pain. In cases of severe pain, prescription pain relievers are needed.
9. Measures to prevent otitis externa
Prevention is always better than treatment. Keeping the ear as dry as possible reduces the risk of infection of the outer ear canal.
Measures to protect you and your family from otitis externa include:
Figure 7: Let your child use a swimming cap that covers their ears or earplugs when swimming
However, in some cases it can be severe. Always watch for danger signs to see a doctor promptly. You can protect yourself and your family from otitis externa through the simple actions outlined above.
Doctor Su Ngoc Kieu Chinh
Doctor Su Ngoc Kieu Chinh's article on Non-allergic Rhinitis. What are the symptoms? How to treat and prevent disease
Throat ulcers cause quite a lot of pain for sufferers. You must have tasted the pain of mouth sores, right? If there are sores in the throat, it will be extremely uncomfortable. Let's learn about this painful problem with SignsSymptomsList!
Doctor Tran Thanh Long's article about fissures on the tongue, a benign condition, often appearing on the upper surface of the tongue.
Article by Doctor Nguyen Le Vu Hoang about tonsil cancer, a dangerous disease that can be treated well when diagnosed at a very early stage.
Doctor Tran Thanh Long's article about keloids, people with keloid scars often have the best response when combining many different treatments.
Tuberculosis of the nose is a rare disease, often occurring secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis; in some cases, nasal tuberculosis is also considered a primary infection.
Tinnitus is a condition in which the eardrums are stressed, making them unable to function properly. Symptoms appear when there is a difference in pressure inside the ear and the outside environment. Specifically, the most common time for tinnitus to occur is during take-off and landing. However, some other cases can also cause this symptom such as driving to high mountains, taking the elevator ...
Doctor Tran Thanh Long's article on swollen uvula, including symptoms, causes and risk factors for swollen uvula
Doctor Tran Thanh Long's article about voice cracking, which can happen at any age, gender, causes, treatment and ways to prevent voice cracking.
Otitis externa: causes, signs of the disease, how otitis externa in children is different from adults, prevention and treatment.