Otitis Externa Paper Example

Otitis Externa is an infection that results in the swelling and redness of the external ear canal. The canal is the tube found between the eardrum and the outer ear. The condition is also known as 'swimmer's ear' due to the fact that the ear canal is made more susceptible to inflammation by repetitive exposure to water. It commonly affects young people and females, and has a prevalence of approximately one percent. More cases tend to be reported in areas that experience hot and humid climates, and when the summer season is coming to an end (Klein, 2015).

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It is the external auditory canal that is typically affected by Otitis externa. This is the part of the ear through which sound waves pass so that they can get to the tympanic membrane. The canal's protective mechanisms can be disrupted by any inhibition to formation of wax, blockage, or trauma to the canal. Any of those situations can lead to accumulation of pathogens and subsequent inflammation. The skin surrounding the ear becomes swollen, erythematous, warm, and tender, leading to accumulation of debris and discharge. This accumulation together with a contraction of the canal causes further pileup of pathogen and proliferation of the infective process (Rosenfeld et al, 2014).

Otitis externa can be caused by a number of factors. One of them is bacterial infection, often by bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The infection can also be caused by a common skin condition known as seborrhoeic dermatitis whereby naturally greasy areas of the skin surrounding the ear become inflamed and irritated. Another possible cause is a middle ear infection called otitis media characterized by production of discharge emanating from an infection deep inside the ear. According to Rosenfeld et al (2014), Fungal infections such those of the Aspergillus and Candida albicans varieties are also known to cause otitis externa. Another cause is an allergic reaction or irritation when the ear comes into contact with things such as ear plugs, sweat, shampoo, or ear medication. The conditions can sometimes be caused by a hair follicle found in the ear becoming infected by bacteria and then developing into a boil or pimple (Demir, Yilmaz, Guven, Kara, Elden & Erkorkmaz, 2018).

Otitis externa is characterized by several different symptoms that affect the ear and the area surrounding it. They include pain, irritation, itching, swelling, and redness of the ear canal and outer ear. The patient may experience a feeling of fullness and pressure inside the ear, and scaly skin around the ear canal that may begin peeling off. A notable symptom is discharge from the ear that may be thick and milky or thin and watery. A person may feel some tenderness when moving the ear or jaw as well as sore and swollen glands in his or her throat. Some serious cases of Otitis externa may result in hearing loss.

A person can experience chronic Otitis externa whereby the symptoms persist for a long time, in some cases going on for several months. Notable symptoms include a chronic itch in and around the ear canal together with pain and discomfort that is aggravated when the ear is moved. A chronic condition is also characterized by absence of earwax and a watery discharge from the ear. The individual can also experience stenosis, which is an accumulation of thick, dry skin inside the ear canal that can constrict it and affect hearing.

There are certain factors that, despite not directly causing Otitis externa, can increase the likelihood of the condition developing. Moisture inside the ear canal can make a person more likely to get an infection. This is because moisture presents an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive. An individual's risk may be boosted by sweating, exposure to humid environment, or swimming-especially in dirty or contaminated water. Also, water can wash away earwax, making the ears itchy.

Damage to the ear is another possible trigger of otitis externa. The ear canal is quite sensitive and can be damaged through excessive cleaning, scratching, inserting cotton buds, and wearing earphones or earplugs for long periods. Use of a hearing aid can also increase a person's chances of developing the infection. Also, the probability of contracting otitis externa is increased if certain products like hair dyes or sprays and earwax softeners are used in or around the ears.

In addition to seborrhoeic dermatitis, some underlying skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne can increase a person's risk of otitis externa. Individuals suffering from asthma or allergic rhinitis may be more susceptible to the condition. The same case applies to those with conditions such as HIV/AIDS or diabetes that can weaken their immune systems. Also, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can increase an individual's risk of otitis externa.

While preventing otitis externa is not always possible, a person can minimize his or her chances of developing the condition. This can be achieved by avoiding damage to the ears while keeping them dry and clean. It is advisable not to insert objects such as cotton wool buds into the ears. Earwax will naturally work its way out and the only instance that cotton buds should be used is to clean the area around the outer ear.

References

Demir, D., Yilmaz, M. S., Guven, M., Kara, A., Elden, H., & Erkorkmaz, U. (2018). Comparison of clinical outcomes of three different packing materials in the treatment of severe acute otitis externa. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 1-6.

Klein, J. O. (2015). Otitis externa, otitis media, and mastoiditis. In Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases (Eighth Edition) (pp. 767-773).

Rosenfeld, R. M., Schwartz, S. R., Cannon, C. R., Roland, P. S., Simon, G. R., Kumar, K. A., ... & Robertson, P. J. (2014). Clinical practice guideline: acute otitis externa. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 150(1_suppl), S1-S24.