external ear disease

External Ear Diseases: A Comprehensive Overview

The external ear, also known as the pinna or auricle, is a vital part of our auditory system. However, it can be prone to various diseases and conditions that affect its structure and function.

Types of External Ear Diseases

There are several types of external ear diseases, including:

• Otitis Externa: An inflammation of the ear canal skin, typically caused by bacterial or fungal infections.
  • Acute otitis externa is a short-term infection that can be treated with antibiotics. [1]
  • Chronic otitis externa is a long-term condition that requires ongoing treatment and management. [2]
• Fungal Otitis Externa: A fungal infection of the external ear, which can present similarly to acute bacterial otitis externa.
  • Fungal otitis externa is more common in children and young adults. [13]
• Keratosis Obturans (KO) and External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma (EACC): Two distinct keratinaceous lesions of the external ear, which can cause discomfort and hearing loss.
  • KO and EACC can often be managed in a clinic setting with debridement. [15]

Symptoms and Signs

External ear diseases can manifest in various ways, including:

• Redness and Swelling: Inflammation of the ear canal skin, which can lead to redness, swelling, scaling, and thickening of the skin lining.
  • Redness and swelling are common symptoms of otitis externa. [8]
• Discharge and Pain: The presence of discharge or pus in the ear canal, accompanied by pain, discomfort, and itching.
  • Discharge and pain are signs of swimmer's ear (otitis externa). Untreated infections can spread to other areas. [9]
• Pain and Tenderness: Excruciating pain and tenderness in the ear, which can be out of proportion to the size of the furuncle.
  • Pain and tenderness are symptoms of otitis externa, particularly when caused by scratching or trauma. [10]

Pre-Disposing Factors

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing external ear diseases, including:

• Scratching the Canal: Using contaminated sticks or metallic objects to scratch the ear canal.
  • Scratching the canal can lead to infections and inflammation. [1]
• Trauma: Physical trauma to the ear, such as a blow to the head or ear.
  • Trauma can cause pain, tenderness, and inflammation in the external ear. [10]

Management and Treatment

External ear diseases require prompt attention and treatment to prevent complications and promote healing.

• Antibiotics: Topical antibiotics are often used to treat acute otitis externa.
  • Antibiotics can help clear up infections and reduce symptoms. [1]
• Debridement: Surgical removal of dead skin cells or debris from the ear canal.
  • Debridement is a common treatment for KO and EACC. [15]

It's essential to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms or signs of external ear disease, as prompt treatment can help prevent complications and promote healing.