👂 Otitis
Otitis refers to inflammation or infection of the ear, and it can affect different parts of the ear:
| Type | Location | Common Name |
|---|---|---|
| Otitis externa | Outer ear canal | “Swimmer’s ear” |
| Otitis media | Middle ear (behind eardrum) | Middle ear infection |
| Otitis interna | Inner ear (labyrinth) | Labyrinthitis or inner ear infection |
🦠 Causes
- Bacterial or viral infections (most common)
- Allergies
- Fungal infections (especially in otitis externa)
- Water or moisture trapped in the ear
- Upper respiratory infections (common cause of otitis media)
👶 Otitis Media (Most Common in Children)
- Often follows cold or respiratory infection
- Eustachian tube dysfunction leads to fluid and pressure buildup
🔹 Symptoms:
- Ear pain or pulling at the ear
- Fever
- Hearing loss or muffled hearing
- Irritability (in children)
- Fluid drainage from the ear
- Trouble sleeping or balance issues
🏊♂️ Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear)
- Infection of the outer ear canal
- Often caused by water remaining in the ear after swimming
🔹 Symptoms:
- Itching and redness in the ear
- Pain (especially when pulling the ear)
- Swelling or blockage of ear canal
- Foul-smelling discharge
🌀 Otitis Interna (Labyrinthitis)
- Infection or inflammation of the inner ear
- Affects balance and hearing
🔹 Symptoms:
- Vertigo (spinning sensation)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
- Trouble walking straight
🧪 Diagnosis
- Otoscope exam to look inside the ear
- Ear swab (if discharge is present)
- Hearing tests (audiometry)
- Balance tests (in suspected labyrinthitis)
💊 Treatment
| Type | Main Treatments |
|---|---|
| Otitis externa | Antibiotic or antifungal ear drops, keep ear dry |
| Otitis media | Pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen), antibiotics if bacterial |
| Otitis interna | Rest, anti-vertigo meds (e.g., meclizine), sometimes antivirals |
🧒 Children with frequent otitis media may need ear tubes surgically placed to drain fluid.
🛡️ Prevention
- Keep ears dry (especially after swimming)
- Avoid inserting objects or cotton swabs into the ear
- Treat colds and allergies promptly
- Breastfeeding in infants (may lower risk of ear infections)
- Vaccinate (e.g., pneumococcal, flu)