Ear Infections
OTITIS EXTERNA
[OUTER EAR INFECTION]

NORMAL EAR

OTITIS MEDIA
[MIDDLE EAR INFECTION]

ACUTE OTITIS EXTERNA
- It is an infection of the skin of the external auditory canal
- Mostly seen after swimming [we call it swimmer’s ear]
- The usual cause is either Staph Aureus or Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
- It causes swelling and severe pain in the ear canal
- It is usually treated with antibiotics + steroids ear drops
- If the swelling is severe an ear wick is inserted [ urgent care , ER or ENT office]
- If the infection is spreading beyond the ear canal to the skin around the ear then oral antibiotics should be added
- In diabetic and immunosuppressed patients a fulminant infection can spread deep into the bone and this is called Malignant Otitis Externa, it is usually treated in the hospital with IV antibiotics.
ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA
- It is usually caused by a blocked Eustachian tube [A] trapping respiratory bacteria and viruses in the middle ear cavity leading to [B] formation a pocket of infection (abscess in case of bacterial infection)
- Infections are usually more common in pre school children due to the short and straight Eustachian tube while adults have a long and kinked tube
- Common symptoms are fever and ear pain: Diminished hearing , vertigo and ringing may occur
- Diagnosis is usually made by finding an angry red bulging inflamed tympanic membrane [ear drum] with effusion or fluids build up
- Treatment in children is recommended if:
1-There is pus draining from ear or
2- There is moderate to severe pain for 2 days or
3-Temp is 102 or higher
The usual 1st line antibiotic is Amoxil
For severe or recurrent infections we use Augmentin Or Omnicef
**** Recurrent infections in children requires ENT consultation for possible ear tubes placement
NORMAL EAR

OTITIS EXTERNA [OUTER EAR INFECTION]

ACUTE OTITIS EXTERNA
- It is an infection of the skin of the external auditory canal
- Mostly seen after swimming [we call it swimmer’s ear]
- The usual cause is either Staph Aureus or Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
- It causes swelling and severe pain in the ear canal
- It is usually treated with antibiotics + steroids ear drops
- If the swelling is severe an ear wick is inserted [ urgent care , ER or ENT office]
- If the infection is spreading beyond the ear canal to the skin around the ear then oral antibiotics should be added
- In diabetic and immunosuppressed patients a fulminant infection can spread deep into the bone and this is called Malignant Otitis Externa ,it is usually treated in the hospital with IV antibiotics
OTITIS MEDIA [MIDDLE EAR INFECTION]

- ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA
- It is usually caused by a blocked Eustachian tube [A] trapping respiratory bacteria and viruses in the middle ear cavity leading to [B] formation a pocket of infection (abscess in case of bacterial infection)
- Infections are usually more common in pre school children due to the short and straight Eustachian tube while adults have a long and kinked tube
- Common symptoms are fever and ear pain: Diminished hearing , vertigo and ringing may occur
- Diagnosis is usually made by finding an angry red bulging inflamed tympanic membrane [ear drum] with effusion or fluids build up
- Treatment in children is recommended if:
1-There is pus draining from ear or
2- There is moderate to severe pain for 2 days or
3-Temp is 102 or higher
The usual 1st line antibiotic is Amoxil
For severe or recurrent infections we use Augmentin Or Omnicef
**** Recurrent infections in children requires ENT consultation for possible ear tubes placement
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