DO YOU LIKE CLEANING YOUR EARS WITH COTTON SWABS? BE CAREFUL — YOU MIGHT GET OTITIS EXTERNA

Otitis externa is an infection that occurs in the ear canal — the part between the outer ear (auricle) and the eardrum. 

It’s a fairly common condition that can affect people of all ages. 

Those who swim frequently, use cotton swabs to clean their ears, or have sensitive skin are at higher risk. 

👩‍⚕️ Let’s learn more about this condition with Dr. Lam Thanh Hao, ENT Specialist at CarePlus Clinic System! 

Causes 

Otitis externa can have several causes, but the most common include: 

• Bacterial infection: often caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. 
• Fungal infection: commonly due to Aspergillus or Candida species. 
• Injury or irritation: caused by cleaning too deeply or using hard objects (cotton swabs, hairpins, etc.) that scratch the ear canal lining, allowing bacteria or fungi to enter. 
• Moist environment: trapped water after bathing or swimming provides ideal conditions for bacterial and fungal growth. 

Symptoms 

Depending on the severity and cause, patients may experience one or more of the following symptoms: 

• Ear pain, especially when pulling the outer ear or while chewing and talking. 
• Itching or a sensation of fullness in the ear, as if something is inside (common in fungal infections). 
• Ear discharge or foul odor. 
• Swelling, redness, possible pus or flaking skin. 
• Hearing loss due to blockage by discharge, fungal debris, or swelling. 

Treatment and Care 

Otitis externa can be completely cured if detected early and treated properly under medical guidance. 

1. Cleaning the ear canal 

• This is an important step to remove discharge, pus, or fungal debris so medications can work effectively. 
• It should be performed by an ENT specialist using sterile instruments and endoscopy. 

2. Medication 

• Ear drops: containing antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, or antifungal agents (depending on the cause). 
• Oral medication: used if the infection spreads, causes severe pain/swelling, or risks complications. 

3. Home care 

• Keep water out of the ear. 
• Avoid cleaning or applying any ear drops unless prescribed. 
• Refrain from using earphones or earplugs during treatment. 

Prevention of Otitis Externa 

• Keep ears clean and dry: after bathing or swimming, tilt your head to drain water and gently wipe with a soft towel. 
• Do not insert objects deeply into the ear canal — only clean the outer ear gently. 
• Avoid using foreign objects or dirty fingers to clean your ears. 
• Keep earphones clean, avoid using them for long periods, and stop using them if you experience ear pain, itching, ringing, or discharge.