Otitis externa: caring for our ears in summer.

-To this type of otitis is also known as swimmer’s ear ” and affects both children and adults

Torrevieja, 2011-August the service of Otolaryngology of the Hospital of Torrevieja, managed by Bank health and Asisa and integrated in the public network of the Generalitat Valencianainforms of the care and precautions to take with the arrival of the summer in relation to our ears, because they are frequent the otitis, or infections of the outer part of the ear.

Frequent baths in the sea and swimming pools and the humidity in the air are part of the factors that contribute to that small and older will be forced to go to your doctor to treat a strong ear pain very annoying for those who suffer. Approximately 60% of the cases relate to children aged between 2 and 12 years, whose ear canal is narrower, producing them fever and inflammation of the skin surrounding the affected ear.

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the ear which affects the ear canal, which is the tube that runs from the eardrum to the ear. This type of otitis is also known as swimmer’s ear ” and affects both children and adults. Among the factors that favour the development of external otitis are moisture, excessive cleaning of the ear, manipulation with rods or other instruments, injured in the duct, contact with chemical irritants such as hair sprays, dyes and skin problems of the channel as eczema or dermatitis. Patients with diabetes and other diseases, which produce a decrease in defences, are more likely to develop infections.

DRA

. Marta Arroyo, specialist in Otolaryngology and head of service of the Hospital in Torrevieja warns of the importance of prevention towards avoid this type of Pathology, therefore asserts that should avoid the manipulation of the ears with rods, without bathing in contaminated areasdo not make frequent handwashing with SOAP ears and keep them dry when necessary. Thus is can use ear plugs to the bathroom, either dry the ear after bathing with a towel or tilting the head to one side, and even using a hairdryer with mild air ”.

Otitis is produced by various germs that grow in the skin of the ear canal, causing inflammation with pain, a feeling of tamponade and deafness. According to the DRA. Arroyo another common symptom is the otorrhea, the drainage or output of fluid or pus in the ear; drainage can make that hearing is affected on a temporary basis. On the other hand, the sense of occupation of the ear, by inflammation of the duct can make it appear almost closed is also common ”.

treatment for this type of infections must have an analgesic component for the control of pain, and a topical antibiotic applied inside the ear in order to eradicate the infection. In some cases with topical drops with acetic acid or boric compounds will be sufficient, in other cases, your doctor will recommend compounds with antibiotic with or without steroids.

Experts recommend that, for at least one week, the patient must remain with the treatment prescribed by your doctor, avoiding the contact of the ears with water and thus ensuring that there is an optimal cure of the infection.

Prevention is the key

Prevention is the best measure to maintain healthy ear. Good conditions of dryness and handling in excess of the ear canal are indispensable for this. Hairdryer with no hot-applied air smoothly can be a useful tool for the drying of the ears, although there are also prepared with effect of drying that improve the PH of the skin by a compound in drops containing boricado alcohol.

It is important that, before any symptoms, go to your nearest health care center in order to obtain a rapid diagnosis to put an end to such problems through the appropriate treatment for each case.