Cases of otitis externa triple during the summer in the Department of health of Sant Joan.

-the best method of prevention is drying ears after the bath with a drop of alcohol from 70 degrees

San Juan, August of 2011- patients who have been diagnosed of otitis externa in the Department of health Alicante-Sant Joan d ’ Alacantboth in care at the Hospital, have tripled in what you have spent summer with respect to the cases generated in the remaining months of the year, given that this type of acute ear infection that occurs most frequently during the summer. In fact, is one of the leading causes of visit to the doctor in this Department during the summer.

This is because high temperatures make the beaches and pools the most frequented places and water is the main cause of this condition. Less frequently, otitis may be due also to the daily shower with ambient humidity. In the Department of health Alicante – Sant Joan d ’ Alacant, found in a coastal area, are frequent cases of otitis externa, considered the leading cause of acute pain in the ear.

Otitis externa, the action of moisture produces an alteration in the ear canal epithelium; in particular, causes a loss in the continuity of the epithelium (form small cracks), which leads in turn germs are usually in the duct to entercausing infections. The main symptom is a severe pain at the area, and if the disease progresses, there is drainage and narrowness of the ear canal. In extreme cases, the inflammation can cause cellulitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous cellular tissue) and flaps of the auditory Pavilion ”, said the head of the service of Otorhinolaryngology (ORL), DRA. Shell Crespo.

The specialist reminded that most of the patients get a solution for otitis in the first link in primary care, either in the query or the urgencies of the CAP (points of continuing care) of El Campello, Mutxamel and Xixona, which close the urgent attention to citizens. Who come directly to the hospital emergency room are often displaced patients that are directed to the emergency room of the hospital closest to the place where they are veraneando, or those experiencing much pain. The rest receive an answer to your problem in primary ”, emphasizes the DRA. Crespo.

So far as these patients who go to the hospital, most of them make it to the emergency service, where those otitis that do not require the performance of an ORL specialist are resolved. In these cases, the treatment is based on the administration of drops and the recommendation to avoid contact with water.

The most serious patients experiencing greater narrowness of the ear canal, are derived at the service of ORL. Unlike the mild otitis ”, points out the head of the service, we must aspire secretions to clean through; In addition, we introduce a conductive mecha (gauze or tube) in the ear canal so that it can penetrate the treatment, which consists of a few drops containing antibiotic and anti-inflammatory otic. Finally, also administer them an antibiotic systemic via ”. Patients who have been diagnosed are advised to not bathe on beaches or swimming pools one week period is extended in more serious cases and always must be maintained until the resolution of otitis.

As we have summer, 75% of cases of otitis that arrive to the Hospital on a daily basis are resolved in emergency room and 25% accurate care in the service of Otorhinolaryngology.

According to the specialist, the best method of prevention is to dry the ears after the bath, depositing so a drop of alcohol of 70 degrees, which acts as an antiseptic. The general recommendation is that if we start having ear pain, that may be of any origin, to prevent water entering ”.

In this Department ”, points out the head of ENT, the profile of the patient with otitis is usually the person who is on vacation for a few limited days and spends most of the time submerged in the water (the resident adds more bathrooms in swimming pools and beach). The largest number of cases occur in children and middle-aged people; However, as regards residents, otitis occurs most frequently in children, as adults not spend so much time in the water, probably for labour reasons ”.