External Ear, Infections Follow-up

  • Author: Ashutosh Kacker, MD; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA   more...
 
Updated: Sep 17, 2009
 

Further Outpatient Care

The patient requires suctioning of the external auditory canal (EAC) on a weekly basis until debris has been removed.

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Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

Topical eardrops are the mainstay of both inpatient and outpatient treatment. Oral antibiotics or antifungal agents are usually reserved for refractory cases.

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Deterrence/Prevention

Otitis externa can be prevented by avoiding use of cotton-tipped swabs or objects such as bobby pins to clean ears. Use of cotton-tipped swabs or bobby pins can cause excoriation of the canal skin that can lead to otitis externa.

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Prognosis

The prognosis of uncomplicated otitis externa is uniformly good. Patients with malignant otitis externa have a more guarded prognosis.

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Patient Education

  • Educate patients to keep the ear dry and to refrain from the use of cotton-tipped swabs or home remedies, such as ear candles, to remove ear cerumen.
  • For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Ear, Nose, and Throat Center Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Swimmer's Ear.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Ashutosh Kacker, MD  Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Weill College of Medicine of Cornell University; Consulting Staff, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York Hospital of Queens

Ashutosh Kacker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Rhinologic Society, and Triological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jack A Shohet, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine; Otolaryngologist, Shohet Ear Associates Medical Group, Inc

Jack A Shohet, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Neurotology Society, American Tinnitus Association, and California Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Gerard J Gianoli, MD  Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine; Vice President, The Ear and Balance Institute; Chief Executive Officer, Ponchartrain Surgery Center

Gerard J Gianoli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, and Triological Society

Disclosure: Vesticon, Inc. None Board membership

Christopher L Slack, MD  Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders

Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA  Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society

Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown; Axis Three Corporation Ownership interest Consulting; Omni Biosciences Ownership interest Consulting; Sentegra Ownership interest Board membership; Syndicom Ownership interest Consulting; Oxlo Consulting; Medvoy Ownership interest Management position; Cerescan Imaging Honoraria Consulting; GYRUS ACMI Honoraria Consulting

References

  1. Alva B, Prasad KC, Prasad SC, Pallavi. Temporal bone osteomyelitis and temporoparietal abscess secondary to malignant otitis externa. J Laryngol Otol. Apr 17 2009;1-4. [Medline].

  2. [Guideline] Rosenfeld RM, Brown L, Cannon CR, Dolor RJ, Ganiats TG, Hannley M, et al. Clinical practice guideline: acute otitis externa. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Apr 2006;134(4 Suppl):S4-23. [Medline].

  3. Brook I. Treatment of otitis externa in children. Paediatr Drugs. Oct-Dec 1999;1(4):283-9. [Medline].

  4. Mirza N. Otitis externa. Management in the primary care office. Postgrad Med. May 1996;99(5):153-4, 157-8. [Medline].

  5. Morden NE, Berke EM. Topical fluoroquinolones for eye and ear. Am Fam Physician. Oct 15 2000;62(8):1870-6. [Medline].

  6. Selesnick SH. Otitis externa: management of the recalcitrant case. Am J Otol. May 1994;15(3):408-12. [Medline].

  7. Tierney MR, Baker AS. Infections of the head and neck in diabetes mellitus. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Mar 1995;9(1):195-216. [Medline].

 
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Anatomy of the external and middle ear.
 
 
 
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