Otitis externa; acute

Alternative names:

acute otitis externa; ear infection, external - acute; external ear infection - acute; infection of the external ear; swimmer's ear - acute

Definition:

A disorder in which there is infection or inflammation of the external ear and ear canal.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is fairly common, affecting 4 out of 1,000 people, mostly teenagers and young adults. It consists of inflammation, irritation, and/or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. There is often a history of recent exposure to water or mechanical ear trauma from scratching or foreign objects in the ear. Swimming in polluted water is one way to contract swimmer's ear. Attempts to clean wax from the ear canal, especially with cotton swabs or small objects, can irritate or damage the skin. Hair spray, hair dyes, shampoos, and other chemicals may irritate the skin of the ear canal.

Otitis externa may occasionally be associated with middle ear infection (otitis media) or with upper respiratory infections such as colds. The presence of moisture in the ear predisposes the ear to infection from fungus or water-loving bacteria such as Pseudomonas or Proteus.