Don't Let Outer Ear Canal Problems Ruin Your Holiday

Pain Subsides, Infection Clears

Treatment of external auditory canal inflammation is conducted primarily through topical application. This allows treatment to take place while also reducing pain. If the infection is fungal, antifungal medications are used; if bacterial, topical antibacterial drops are administered. In cases where the patient's immune system is compromised and pain is severe, systemic antibiotics are added to these medications.

Protect Your Ears from Moisture

External auditory canal inflammation occurs frequently in some individuals. For this reason, it is important to dry the outer part of the external auditory canal with an ear stick or towel. Individuals with dermatitis have a predisposition to this condition. In addition to these factors, there are other different risk factors that can lead to the disease. For example, traumatizing the external auditory canal through scratching with fingernails, foreign objects, and similar means increases risk. To combat this condition, in addition to ear sticks and towels, holding a hair dryer 20-30 cm away from the ear and drying for 15-20 seconds can be sufficient to remove moisture from the external ear. If the ear is heavily impacted, cleaning by an otolaryngologist before going on vacation can help prevent infections. With the start of swimming pool and beach season, complaints regarding ear health have begun to increase. This condition, which progresses as the inner part of the external ear remains moist, can lead to itching and even hearing loss. Op. Dr. Mehmet Melih Çiçek from the Department of Otolaryngology at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital provided information on matters that require attention regarding ear health during the summer months.

Bacterial Infections Are Most Common in Ears During Summer

The external auditory canal refers to the portion extending from the auricle to the eardrum. Infections that occur here are most often bacterial, and sometimes fungal infections cause inflammation in the external auditory canal. The body's response to this is referred to as external auditory canal inflammation. Since bacterial and fungal infections underlie the disorders that occur in the external auditory canal, summer months are critically important in this regard. This is because many people swim in the sea and pools during these months. Under normal circumstances, the ear has its own self-cleaning mechanism, but although this mechanism works through migration movement beginning at the eardrum, the region can still become infected despite everything.

Patient Complaints Are Important in Diagnosis

Disorders occurring in this region are diagnosed in 99.9 percent of cases through patient history and physical examination. When bacterial infection is present, mild itching and pain are felt in the inner auditory canal. Within a few days, pain intensifies when touching directly below the auricle or the cartilage at the entrance area. Another problem is discharge. Generally, the moisture retained in the inner part of the external ear, narrowing, and swelling caused by infection lead to dampness. Although not as intense as in middle ear inflammation, hearing loss is also experienced. In the presence of fungal infection, pain recedes somewhat into the background, but itching can be felt much more intensely. In addition to the patient's complaints, examination is also conducted with an otoscope. In patients with compromised immune systems, or if there is progression toward the outside of the ear canal, bone, and skull base, different imaging methods are employed.