Outer Ear Infection (swimmers ear, Otitis externa) - Medtick
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Outer Ear Infection (swimmers ear, Otitis externa)

What is it?

Infection of the Ear, inside the ear hole, along the ear canal but not as deep as beyond the ear drum.

Cause

One can get outer ear soreness and infections Otitis externa (known as swimmers ear) due to:

  • Foreign particles entering the ear (Streptococcal bacteria, Staphylococci bacteria, Pseudomonas aureginosa bacteria).
  • Recently used ear plugs/cotton buds/use hearing aids
  • Habit of fiddling or picking your ears
  • Hairsprays or hair colour shampoo that got into ear
  • Exposed to smoky/pollutant environment
  • Ear injury (Perichrondritis)

One can get ear fungal infections due to:

  • Exposed to a moist environment i.e. after swimming (Aspergillosis, Candida fungus) but this should be first confirmed by a medical doctor.

Symptoms

(Inflammation of ear canal)

  • Mild Pain in the ear (when outer ear is touched or pulled gently)?
  • Jaw pain and/or difficulty chewing, swallowing, talking and/or slurred speech and/or difficulty in opening the mouth and /or difficult to eat?
  • Jaw and/or ear hurts and/or pain underneath ear and on that side of face/pain in the ear made worse by movement of jaw?
  • One has a mild fever?
  • Ear skin very itchy?
  • Redness and flaky skin of the ear?
  • Temporary ear block, discomfort and/or itchiness after swimming/bathing/ Sensitivity to every day noise and/or ringing noise within and/or difficulty hearing?
  • Ear discharge?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Outer Ear Infection (swimmers ear, Otitis externa) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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  • Medscape

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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  • DR Axe

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