What is otitis externa of the outer ear?

About otitis externa. Otitis externa is a condition that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and eardrum.

What is otitis externa (c0029878)?

Ontology: Otitis Externa (C0029878) Definition (NCI_CTCAE) A disorder characterized by inflammation Definition (NCI) An acute or chronic inflammatory process Definition (MSH) Inflammation of the OUTER EAR including Concepts Disease or Syndrome ( T047 ) MSH D010032
How effective are ear drops for otitis externa?
Ear drops are usually enough to cure a bout of short-lasting (acute) otitis externa. However, other treatments are sometimes added. This is more likely to be necessary if you notice any of the following: Your ears are particularly painful or swollen. Your ears are completely blocked (so that the drops can't penetrate properly).

How long does an otitis externa infection last?

Otitis externa usually clears within a week or so. When otitis externa is short-lasting, it is described as 'acute otitis externa'. However, sometimes it persists for three months or more and is then described as 'chronic otitis externa'. What are ear infections?

Can otitis externa get better without treatment?

Otitis externa sometimes gets better without treatment, but it can take several weeks. Your GP can prescribe ear drop medication that usually improves the symptoms within a few days. There are a number of different types of ear drops that may be used to treat otitis externa, but they all tend to be used several times a day for about a week.
What ear drops are used to treat otitis externa?
There are four main types of ear drops used to treat otitis externa: antibiotic ear drops – this can treat an underlying bacterial infection corticosteroid ear drops – this can help to reduce swelling antifungal ear drops – this can treat an underlying fungal infection acidic ear drops – this can help kill bacteria
A thorough examination of the head and neck should be performed to rule out other diagnoses and to look for possible complications of otitis externa. The examination should include evaluation of the sinuses, nose, mastoids, temporomandibular joints, mouth, pharynx and neck.

Necrotizing otitis externa is difficult to treat, and the mortality rate can be as high as 53 percent. This condition should be suspected when, despite adequate topical treatment, otalgia and headache are disproportionately more severe than the clinical signs or when granulation tissue is apparent at the bony cartilaginous junction.