preview

Ear Infection: Otitis Externa

Good Essays

External otitis is an infection of the skin covering the outer ear and ear canal. It is also known as swimmers ear. It is most often a bacterial infection caused by the streptococcus, staphylococcus, or pseudomonas bacteria. Acute external otitis is usually caused by excessive water (usually from water sports), trapped in the external ear canal by cerumen. This trapped moisture can cause the skin in the ear canal to become a breeding ground for bacteria. As always, any cuts or abrasions can leave the any part of the body, including the ear canal, susceptible to bacteria and infections. External otitis affects the ear and auditory system. Someone with swimmers ear may first notice that their ear may feel full and itchy. The ear will swell, …show more content…

This will only aggravate the irritated skin, and in most situations will make the condition worse. In fact, scratching the inside of the ear will just make the ear itch more, and any medications prescribed will be ineffective. The most common treatment consists of ear drops containing antibiotics or antibiotics with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Oral antibiotics may also be required in some cases. In some situations, a "wick" will need to be placed in the ear canal to stent it open and serve as a conduit for the ear drops. Periodic, and sometimes frequent, suctioning of the ear canal helps to keep it open, remove debris, and decrease bacterial counts”. (medicinenet.com, 2013) “Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that occurs in joints on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists, or both knees. This symmetry helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis”. If a joint is deemed as arthritic that means that there is inflammation within the joint. Inflammation within a joint can cause swelling, redness, warmth and pain within that joint. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints, but may also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, or nerves. Rheumatoid arthritis can present itself in many different ways. For some, joint symptoms develop gradually over several years, while others may develop quickly. Some people are affected by rheumatoid arthritis for a short

Get Access