Med First ENT Centre

Otitis externa , also called  swimmer’s ear , is inflammation of the ear canal. It often presents with ear pain, swelling of the ear canal, and occasionally decreased hearing.Typically there is pain on movement of the outer ear  or on touching the ear. Otitis externa may be acute (lasting less than six weeks) or chronic (lasting more than three months).  Acute cases are typically due to bacterial infection, and chronic cases are often due to allergies and autoimmune disorders.The most common cause of Otitis externa is bacterial. Risk factors for acute cases include swimming, minor trauma from cleaning, using hearing aids and ear plugs, and other skin problems, such as  seborrhoea (dandruff),  psoriasis and dermatitis. People with diabetes are at risk of a severe form of  disease called  malignant otitis externa .  This disease causes progressive destruction of external ear tissues and can spread deep inside the ear.  Diagnosis is based on th...

We are at that time of the year when most of us will enter the swimming pool to 'beat the heat!' Though swimming is a wonderful full body exercise, it can sometimes cause problems in the ears, a condition called  'Swimmer's Ears' . Due to the constant presence of water in the ears, and sometimes because of swimming in unclean waters of rivers and ponds  etc the ears get infected leading to 'Swimmer's Ears'. CAUSES OF ITCHY EARS Wax accumulation - The presence of wax in the ears, specially when it gets excessive or dry may cause the ears to itch Eczema and other skin problems - It must be understood that though the ear is a separate organ by itself the skin on the outside portion of the ear and ear canal is the same as skin elsewhere - so skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis can affect the ears as well Dandruff - dandruff from the scalp can enter the ear canal and cause intense itching - it needs to be treated aggressively Use of ...