Otitis externa; malignant

Alternative names:

malignant otitis externa; osteomyelitis of the skull

Prevention:

To prevent external ear infection, dry the ear thoroughly after exposure to moisture. Avoid swimming in polluted water and protect the ear canal with cotton or lamb's wool while applying hair spray or hair dye (if susceptible to otitis externa).

Treat acute otitis externa completely and do not stop treatment sooner than recommended by your health care provider to reduce the risk of it becoming malignant otitis externa.

After swimming, 1 or 2 drops of a mixture of 50% alcohol and 50% vinegar in each ear will help to dry the ear and prevent infection.