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

Symptoms:

• ear pain
  • may worsen on head movement

• itching of the ear or ear canal
• drainage from the ear
  • yellow, yellow-green, pus-like, or foul smelling

• hearing loss
• ear noise or buzzing

Signs and tests:

Inspection shows the ear to be red and swollen, including the ear canal. The eardrum may be difficult to visualize with the otoscope, or the eardrum may appear perforated, red, dull, or infected. The ear canal may appear eczema-like, with scaly shedding of skin in the canal. Touching or manipulating the outer ear increases pain.

A culture of drainage may show bacteria or fungus.