Otitis externa
Otitis externa is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal (the passage leading from the external ear to the eardrum) that may develop when water, sand, dirt, or other debris gets into the ear canal.
Symptoms of otitis externa (also called swimmer's ear) are pain in and discharge from the ear.
Other causes of inflammation or infection of the ear canal include:
- Scratching the ear canal with a cotton swab or a sharp object.
- Chronic skin conditions, such as eczema or seborrhea.
- Excessive cleaning of the ear canal.
- Bubble baths and shampoos.
Treatment for otitis externa may include nonprescription pain relievers, antibiotics (if a bacterial cause was identified), or steroid eardrops.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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