Acute Otitis Externa Research Paper

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Acute Otitis Externa, also known as Swimmer’s ear, is an inflammation of the external auditory canal (EAC), the auricle, or both. It is a very common disease especially among children and may interfere with children’s academic and social activities. When untreated, it may lead to recurrent ear infections (Chronic Otitis Externa) and even extend to the bony ear canal and the soft tissues deep to the bony canal (Malignant Otitis Externa).
The overall burden and epidemiology of Acute Otitis Externa is not well defined; however, it is known that the disease has a lifetime incidence of 10%. It affects people of all age groups but peaks in children aged 7 – 12 years, and declines among people >50 years of age. There is no data available on the incidence of Acute Otitis Externa specifically in Asia and the Philippines; U.S. data estimates that 4 in 1000 people are affected annually. The incidence is increased towards the end of the summer especially in the 5- 19-year-old age range; and is common in warmer temperatures and high-humidity conditions.
Precipitating factors of Acute Otitis Externa are excessive moisture and trauma, both of which impair …show more content…

Occasionally, patients may experience fever and itching especially if fungal in etiology and chronic in presentation. Moreover, common symptoms and signs include otalgia, itching, aural fullness, tenderness of the tragus and pinna, ear canal edema, hearing loss, erythema, and otorrhea (McWilliams, 2012). Repeated local trauma like ear bud abuse and picking the ear with cotton bud is a popular theory for benign necrotizing otitis externa. Several studies revealed that neurodermatitis, contact dermatitis, wax impaction, perichondritis and tympanic membrane rupture are associated with the habit of using cotton bud to clean the ears (Kennedy,

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