Otitis is a serious disease that is an inflammatory process in the ear. Manifested by pain, fever, hearing loss, secretions in the form of mucus or pus. If you do not start treatment in time, serious hearing problems can begin.
The main causes of otitis externa
Among the main reasons which can lead to an external otitis, allocate the following:
- Improper hygiene of the ear canal. If you clean sulfur not only from the ears, but also from the depths of the passage, it can cause illness. This is due to the fact that sulfur is a protection that has antibacterial properties. In the absence of bacteria and fungi begin to multiply very quickly.
- Microtraumas, which were obtained with improper care of the ears, with careless actions.
- The ingress of dirty water, which usually occurs when bathing in water. However, swimming in a chlorinated pool can also lead to irritation in the ear canal. Against this background, bacteria begin to multiply rapidly.
- Factors such as sweating, high humidity or dry air. Constant stress can also lead to otitis of the outer ear, because during this period the body's defenses are reduced.
- Other types of otitis, for example, chronic or purulent, can also cause.
Features of diffuse otitis externa
Diffuse external otitis is characterized by a peculiar clinical picture. The disease begins to show severe itching and arching pain in the ear. These symptoms may be accompanied by fever. Moreover, the pain usually spreads to the part of the head where the inflammatory focus is located. When making chewing movements, discomfort increases.
At this time, a person has difficulty falling asleep and eating. The auditory canal itself is severely swollen, causing hearing impairment.
Allocation in this pathology is not abundant, at the initial stage - serous, after which they become purulent. Lymph nodes increase. If the disease is severe, then the auricle and the soft tissues surrounding the ear are involved in the pathological process.
The acute phase of the disease lasts for two weeks. But if treatment is started quickly, the disease can be quickly eliminated. With the wrong therapy, diffuse otitis media becomes chronic, which can lead to hearing loss.
During examination, the doctor may detect reddened skin of the ear canal, multiple minor erosion, covered with serous contents. When referring to a specialist at an advanced stage, cracks and ulcers can be observed. At this stage, the patient may lose his hearing.
Diffuse otitis media is treated with antibacterial drugs, antihistamines and vitamins. If necessary, prescribe immunomodulators.
Main symptoms - what to pay attention to?
Among the main symptoms of this disease are:
- The appearance of pain of different intensity in the ear. Moreover, the discomfort usually increases when you click on the "trestle": the process of cartilage, which limits the passage.
- Some patients with otitis complain of a feeling of ear congestion.
- There may be discharge from the ear canal. In advanced cases, purulent discharge or blood-streaked fluid may occur.
- Hearing loss may occur, a "feeling" of water appears in the ear canal.
- The ear can swell up a lot.
- There is an unpleasant smell.
In addition, overall health may deteriorate, body temperature rises, and at an advanced stage or with reduced immunity, the temperature may exceed +39 degrees. Also on the external auditory canal pimples, boils may appear.
Otitis Diagnosis
To make a correct diagnosis, it is required at the first signs to go to the ENT center. Do not delay, because it can lead to serious complications.
| Study name | Description |
| General blood analysis | Assign almost any disease. Allows you to determine the presence of inflammation in the body. |
| Otoscopy | It is an examination of the external auditory canal, in which the doctor assesses the condition of the ear, eardrum. Helps to detect swelling or other pathological changes in the auditory canal. |
| Hearing study | It is important to remember that with external otitis, hearing is usually normal. But with otitis media, which is accompanied by problems with the tympanic cavity, this problem is observed. |
| Bacteriological examination of secretions | Necessary to identify the pathogen, the appointment of the correct treatment. |
Treatment: how is it done?
The treatment is engaged in an otolaryngologist. Most often, local therapy. The patient is prescribed medications, which include hormones and antibiotics. This will reduce inflammation and swelling. But to use such drops without the appointment of a specialist can not be - it can only complicate the disease, cause hearing loss.
During treatment it is very important to maintain proper ear hygiene: the doctor must carry out a thorough cleaning, which will allow the drugs to act as precisely as possible. Due to this, the effectiveness of treatment will increase by an order.
If a person experiences severe pain that is not stopped by the introduction of local anti-inflammatory drops, then you can additionally use painkillers, such as Ibuprofen.
If the disease is severe and does not respond to local treatment, then oral antibiotics are indicated. This should be done with prolonged fever.
If a person with otitis media gets a late visit to a doctor, it can cause serious consequences. The disease will become chronic, relapses will often occur, which will lower the quality of life. The infection can spread, affecting the auricle, lymph nodes.
Severe complication is expressed in the development of necrotic otitis, which provokes mastoiditis, arterial vein thrombosis, osteomyelitis, meningitis. For this reason, therapy must be timely.
Most often use such drops as:
| Title | Description |
| Sofradex | The tool has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. There are hormones in the composition, because it is so important to use the drops strictly according to the instructions. In some cases, it can cause allergies. It is forbidden to use in the period of childbearing, breastfeeding. |
| Otipaks | One of the most effective drugs for otitis of the outer ear. Helps relieve pain, swelling, inflammation. Can be used for the treatment of pregnant women, small children. |
| Normaks | Drops with antimicrobial effect, which are prescribed for external otitis. They have a number of side effects, among which eruption on the face, the appearance of itching and burning are particularly prominent. If such reactions are found, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will prescribe other drops. |
| Kanibiotik | Drops are effective due to the presence in the composition of antibiotics that have a inhibitory effect on bacteria. Also, the tool is supplemented with antifungal components. Can not be used during pregnancy, children under 6 years. |
If the use of drops has not had the desired effect in the treatment, the following antibiotics may additionally be prescribed:
- ampicillin trihydrate;
- amoxicillin;
- ciprofolksacin;
- netilmicin.
But it is still necessary to prevent the development of this disease, for which it is necessary to carry out proper hygiene procedures, to avoid injury.
What popular methods can help?
It is worth remembering that the treatment of otitis with the help of folk remedies can be carried out only with external or average otitis. Treatment of internal ear inflammation is the prerogative of the otolaryngologist. In addition, before using any means of traditional medicine you need to consult with a specialist.
Also, these tools can only be used in combination with medication.
Salt
It is considered the most affordable means of traditional medicine. Pour a little salt in a small container, warm it in an oven or microwave for 2-3 minutes. Wrap the hot salt in a handkerchief and tie. Apply a dry compress to the sore ear for 10 minutes. The procedure can be repeated an unlimited number of times daily.
The heat generated by the salt helps to remove fluid from the ear, relieve pain.
Garlic
This product is ideal for the treatment of purulent otitis media. You just need to peel a garlic clove, put it in your ear. It will relieve inflammation, stop the development of pathogenic microflora, contribute to the removal of pus.
Apple vinegar
Ideal for fungal infections, which often provoke otitis. Mix in water and vinegar in equal parts. Dip a cotton wool in the resulting liquid and insert into the sore ear for 5 minutes.
Essential oils
Traditional methods of treatment of external otitis include the use of essential oils, which have a mass of beneficial properties. This is especially true for tea tree oil and pelargonium, as they have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Prepare a solution: mix 3 drops of tea tree oil, two tablespoons of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of colloidal silver. Heat the product slightly, using a pipette, put a few drops in the sore ear.
It is necessary to apply this means three times a day within 2 days.
Hydrogen peroxide
Dampen a cotton turunda in hydrogen peroxide and place in the ear for 5 minutes. This procedure will help to remove sulfur, to clean the ear from germs and dirt that can cause inflammation.
