Pediatric Otitis Externa Follow-up

  • Author: Ariel A Waitzman, MD, FRCS(C); Chief Editor: Glenn C Isaacson, MD, FACS, FAAP   more...
 
Updated: Jan 4, 2010
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Monitor patients to ensure complete resolution. Usually a follow-up visit one week after starting treatment is adequate.
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Deterrence/Prevention

Some patients acquire otitis externa (OE) multiple times and should use a preventive strategy.

  • Earplugs worn for swimming and bathing are effective. Wipe earplugs with rubbing alcohol after use.
  • Acidifying drops placed in the ear after swimming or bathing also have a prophylactic benefit.
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Complications

  • Complications of OE are rare. As mentioned, cellulitis or lymphadenitis may occur and should be treated with an oral antibiotic therapy.
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Prognosis

  • Most incidents of OE resolve without difficulty.
  • Pain usually improves 2-5 days after initiating therapy.
  • Most incidents of OE resolve in 7-10 days.
  • In some patients with OE, the ear must be debrided prior to full resolution.
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Patient Education

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Ariel A Waitzman, MD, FRCS(C)  Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University

Ariel A Waitzman, MD, FRCS(C) is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Michigan State Medical Society, and Ontario Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Orval Brown, MD  Director of Otolaryngology Clinic, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Orval Brown, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Bronchoesophagological Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Advances in Children, and Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John E McClay, MD  Associate Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital of Dallas, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

John E McClay, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP  Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Glenn C Isaacson, MD, FACS, FAAP  Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatrics, Temple University School of Medicine

Glenn C Isaacson, MD, FACS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Bronchoesophagological Association, American College of Surgeons, American Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, and Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons

Disclosure: Covidien Honoraria Consulting

References

  1. Rowlands S, Devalia H, Smith C, et al. Otitis externa in UK general practice: a survey using the UK General Practice Research Database. Br J Gen Pract. Jul 2001;51(468):533-8. [Medline].

  2. Roland PS. Chronic external otitis. Ear Nose Throat J. Jun 2001;80(6 Suppl):12-6. [Medline].

  3. Benjamin B, Bingham B, Hawke M. A Colour Atlas of Otorhinolaryngology. London, UK: Martin Dunitz Ltd; 1995.

  4. Bluestone CD, Klein JO. Otitis Media in Infants and Children. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1988.

  5. Hawke M, Jahn AF. Diseases of the Ear: Clinical and Pathologic Aspects. Philadelphia, PA: JB Lippincott Co; 1988.

  6. Hawke M, Keene M, Alberti PW. Clinical Otoscopy: An Introduction to Ear Diseases. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone; 1990.

  7. Holten KB, Gick J. Management of the patient with otitis externa. J Fam Pract. Apr 2001;50(4):353-60. [Medline].

  8. Hughes E, Lee JH. Otitis externa. Pediatr Rev. Jun 2001;22(6):191-7. [Medline].

  9. Tierney PA, Price T, Gillet D. Improving standards in the treatment of acute otitis externa by the use of a treatment protocol and open access to aural toilet. J Laryngol Otol. Feb 2001;115(2):87-90. [Medline].

  10. Waitzman AA, Hawke, M. Otoscopic examination: what to look for in the external ear. Consultant. 1996;36(5).

  11. Walshe P, Rowley H, Timon C. A worrying development in the microbiology of otitis externa. Clin Otolaryngol. Jun 2001;26(3):218-20. [Medline].

 
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Acute otitis externa. The ear canal is red and edematous, and discharge is present.
 
 
 
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