Otitis externa

Background

Organisms: Pseudomonas, Staph, Strep. Sometimes fungi.

Risk Factors: regularly exposed to water (eg. swimmers, divers) or Q-tips

-pain on gentle traction of the external ear structures

Clinical ==DDx==

Otitis media

Malignant otitis externa

   -deeper invasion into adjacent structures

    -mostly in immunocompromised patients

1) Ciprofloxacin 0.3%/dexamethasone 0.1% otic suspension -(dexamethasone improves treatment success)

2) Fungal infection

    -mild: acetic acid solution

    -more severe: topical antifungal (e.g. 1% clotrimazole)

if concern for perforated tympanic membrane, avoid using otic aminoglycoside solution (risk of ototoxicity). In this setting, suspension drops are safer to use.

==Disposition==

Outpatient

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