Otitis externa overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Otitis externa''' ("swimmer's ear") is an [[inflammation]] of the outer [[ear]] and ear canal. Along with [[otitis media]], external otitis is one of the ''two'' human conditions commonly called "[[earache]]". It also occurs in many other species. Inflammation of the [[skin]] of the ear canal is the essence of this disorder. The inflammation can be secondary to dermatitis (eczema) only, with no microbial infection, or it can be caused by active bacterial or fungal infection. In either case, but more often with infection, the ear canal skin swells and may become painful and/or tender to touch. | '''Otitis externa''' ("swimmer's ear") is an [[inflammation]] of the outer [[ear]] and ear canal. Along with [[otitis media]], external otitis is one of the ''two'' human conditions commonly called "[[earache]]". It also occurs in many other species. Inflammation of the [[skin]] of the ear canal is the essence of this disorder. The inflammation can be secondary to dermatitis (eczema) only, with no microbial infection, or it can be caused by active bacterial or fungal infection. In either case, but more often with infection, the ear canal skin swells and may become painful and/or tender to touch. | ||
==Epidemiology and Demographics== | |||
The incidence of otitis externa is high. In Netherlands, it has been estimated at 12-14 per 1000 population per year, and has been shown to affect more than 1% of a sample of the population in the United Kingdom over a 12 month period.<ref>{{cite journal | author = van Balen F, Smit W, Zuithoff N, Verheij T | title = Clinical efficacy of three common treatments in acute otitis externa in primary care: randomised controlled trial. | journal = BMJ | volume = 327 | issue = 7425 | pages = 1201-5 | year = 2003 | id = PMID 14630756}}''[http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/327/7425/1201 Full text]''</ref> | |||
==Differentiating Otitis Externa from other Diseases== | ==Differentiating Otitis Externa from other Diseases== |
Revision as of 19:42, 5 December 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Otitis externa ("swimmer's ear") is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Along with otitis media, external otitis is one of the two human conditions commonly called "earache". It also occurs in many other species. Inflammation of the skin of the ear canal is the essence of this disorder. The inflammation can be secondary to dermatitis (eczema) only, with no microbial infection, or it can be caused by active bacterial or fungal infection. In either case, but more often with infection, the ear canal skin swells and may become painful and/or tender to touch.
Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence of otitis externa is high. In Netherlands, it has been estimated at 12-14 per 1000 population per year, and has been shown to affect more than 1% of a sample of the population in the United Kingdom over a 12 month period.[1]
Differentiating Otitis Externa from other Diseases
Acute otitis media and acute otitis externa are easily confused because both can cause earache and drainage from the ear (otorrhea). Otitis media is the inflammation of the tympanic membrane and middle ear space and is usually clinically distinct from otitis externa. Importantly, persistent earache without the physical findings of ear infection can be due to more serious, even lifethreatening, conditions, and should always be investigated by an otolaryngologist.