Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is an infection of the external ear characterized by an inflammation of the ear canal. It occurs mainly due to overexposure in water or any fluid. When the skin has prolonged contact with moisture, mostly from contaminated water, the skin softens and the natural barrier breaks down, enabling bacteria and fungi to easily penetrate inside the ear.
Symptoms of Otitis Externa
There are various conditions that can surface when an individual is infected with otitis externa. Most of them include a sudden or sharp pain in the ear, itchiness, reduce hearing ability, appearance of yellowish discharge from the ear, hypersensivity to ear movement, and swollen ears or lymph nodes on the neck. The skin is also sore and scaly.
Causes of Otitis Externa
Most well known cause of otitis externa is bathing or swimming in contaminated water or overexposure to moist environment allows the bacteria and fungi to penetrate the ear canal and cause infection. On the other hand, smaller ear openings can cause water retention and will ultimately lead to ear infection.
Certain habits can make a person develop otitis externa. For instance, improper usage of hair sprays, hair dyes, or shampoos may allow the chemical irritants from its ingredients to enter the ear canal and cause irritation. Similarly, cleaning the ears using cotton buds, fingernails, or any sharp objects may tear the soft tissues in the interior of ear canal. This leads to the infection of the ear.
Certain infections can also contribute to developing swimmer’s ear. These are infection of the middle ear, which can further infect the ear canal; folliculitis or infected hair follicle within the ear canal; and diabetes, which can raise the alkalinity of the earwax, therefore leaving the ear vulnerable to bacterial invasion.
Children who suffer from eczema and seborrhea are at greater risk of getting infected with swimmer’s ear. While adults, adolescents, and schoolchildren, are more prone to contracting swimmer’s ear than toddlers.
Home Remedies / Treatment for Otitis Externa
Vinegar: For mild cases, place a few drops of vinegar of both ears. Leave for 5 minutes. Turn the ear down to spill down the liquid. Repeat treatment twice a day for 3 days. Vinegar contains acetic acid that prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Apple cider vinegar: Dilute equal parts of apple cider vinegar with water or alcohol. Place 3-4 drops of this mixture when water clogs the ears, especially after swimming or showering. This will prevent any future infection.
Baby oil: Warm a small amount of baby oil. Place a few drops on both ears using a dropper. Place a cotton ball at the opening of the ears to avoid spilling the oil.
Hair dyer: Set the dryer to warm settings. Use it to blow dry your ear. The warm air coming from the dryer will evaporate the remaining water trapped in your ear.
White vinegar: Mix equal parts of water, white vinegar, and peroxide. Place a few drops on both ears using a dropper and let it stay for 1 minute. Tip the head on the opposite side to spill the solution out of the ear then place a piece of cotton to dry it. Do this before bedtime.
Further Suggestions for Otitis Externa
Place a few drops of oil in the ear before going down the pool. It will prevent the water from drying out the protective oils in the ear.
After swimming, gently pull the ear in the opposite direction to spill the water trapped in the ear canals. Use a towel when drying out the ear.
Avoid swimming in contaminated or dirty waters.
Wear an earplug before swimming if possible.
Avoid cleaning your ears with your fingers or sharp objects.
I am a huge fan of anything alternative. We just picked up some Colloidal Silver this week for flu season. I will keep this in mind. Also, my entrecard dropper is not working so I am unable to drop. Trying to get it worked out. Thanks for stopping by.
Comment by TC — August 13, 2009 @ 7:40 am
very informative
Comment by ish — August 13, 2009 @ 8:24 am