What causes otitis externa?

Otitis externa is a type of ear inflammation that our human body is prone to, and the incidence of this inflammation is also quite high. So, what causes otitis externa? This question is also a question that most patients with otitis externa want to know, because this problem often affects the physical health of patients, and generally will have a certain impact on the normal life of patients with otitis externa.

The incidence of otitis externa is high, which is also a problem that many friends are worried about. Generally, people suffering from otitis externa usually have inflammation of the external auditory canal, and sometimes there is foreign matter present, so it is necessary to seek timely treatment after suffering from otitis externa. So, let’s talk about the common causes of otitis externa.

The stimulation of pus from suppurative otitis media, the stimulation of ear medications, digging or foreign body injury, medical diseases such as malnutrition, diabetes, anemia, and especially the immersion of water in the external auditory canal can cause swelling of the horn layer of the external auditory canal skin, block the hair structure, facilitate bacterial growth, and easily cause external otitis.

The common pathogens of otitis externa are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus and Gram-negative bacilli.

In our daily life, many careless things can cause otitis externa. For example, when we are taking a shower, if water enters our ears and you don’t deal with it in time, when you feel unwell, you will think it is a cold and will not take it seriously, let alone seek treatment, which will result in otitis externa. Therefore, it is very important for us to understand the symptoms of otitis externa so that we can receive timely treatment and avoid the harm caused by otitis externa.

What are the symptoms of otitis externa?

The external auditory canal is burning, itchy, painful, diffusely congested, swollen, and has epidermal erosions. The discharge is first serous and then becomes serous or purulent. The skin swells and covers the eardrum, causing conductive hearing loss and tinnitus. In severe cases, the lymph nodes around the ears may swell and symptoms such as fever and discomfort may occur throughout the body. Otitis externa, also known as diffuse otitis externa, is caused by ear picking, drug stimulation, pus from suppurative otitis media, or immersion in water such as swimming and bathing, which causes the stratum corneum of the skin in the external auditory canal to swell, block the hair follicles, and facilitate the growth of bacteria. Common pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, etc.

Acute otitis externa develops rapidly, with symptoms of burning, itching, and pain in the external auditory canal, as well as diffuse congestion, swelling, and epidermal erosion. It is a thin discharge at first, and then becomes a thin purulent or purulent discharge. Severe skin swelling may cause stenosis or closure of the external auditory canal, obscuring the eardrum, and causing tinnitus and hearing loss. In severe cases, the lymph nodes around the ears may swell and become tender, and general discomfort may occur.

For chronic cases, the main symptoms are ear discomfort and itching, often with a small amount of secretions, slight hearing loss, congestion or thickening of the skin of the external auditory canal, or covered with scabs, which contain a small amount of pus or debris. Sometimes, removing the scab may cause bleeding, the tympanic membrane may become cloudy and thickened, or a small amount of granulation tissue may form on the surface due to damage to the tympanic membrane epithelium.

Otitis externa is a type of ear inflammation that our human body is prone to, and the incidence of this inflammation is also quite high. So, what causes otitis externa? This question is also a question that most patients with otitis externa want to know, because this problem often affects the physical health of patients, and generally will have a certain impact on the normal life of patients with otitis externa.

The incidence of otitis externa is high, which is also a problem that many friends are worried about. Generally, people suffering from otitis externa usually have inflammation of the external auditory canal, and sometimes there is foreign matter present, so it is necessary to seek timely treatment after suffering from otitis externa. So, let’s talk about the common causes of otitis externa.

As can be seen from the above, there are many causes of otitis externa. Generally, the most common one is bacterial infection. Therefore, for patients with otitis externa, the first task is to take appropriate measures according to the cause of the disease, and then carry out appropriate treatment. This is the most important thing for patients with otitis externa, so all our patients and friends must pay close attention.