With the Eid al-Fitr, the sea season will begin for many people. The most common external ear canal infections during this period cause pain in the ear. Experts recommend using earplugs and swimming caps while swimming and point out that one should not scratch the external ear canal with cotton swabs or other objects.
Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital ENT Specialist Assoc. Dr. Murat Topak stated that external ear canal infections occur frequently in the summer months and pointed out that they can be prevented with some measures.
The barrier that protects the ear: "Cerumen"
External ear canal ( Assoc. Prof. stated that DKY) is approximately 2.5 cm long in adults. Dr. Murat Topak said, “The outer 1/3 part is cartilage and the inner 2/3 part is bone structure. The skin of the cartilaginous section contains hairs and hair sacs, sebaceous and glands. The secretion of the glands and the shed epithelial cells combine to form the protective secretion called "cerumen". "Cerumen has a protective function in the outer ear canal, it creates a protective barrier against infection with the substances it contains," he said.
Ear cleaning may damage the ear
The eardrum and eardrum. Assoc. Prof. stated that the epithelial cells shed from the external auditory canal migrate from the inside to the outside, accumulate in the cartilage canal and are expelled from there along with the cerumen. Dr. Murat Topak said that personal cleaning, especially with ear swabs, threatens ear health. Topak said: Except this; Cotton swabs or similar materials inserted into the external ear canal for personal cleaning purposes cannot clean this accumulation, and on the contrary, they may cause the cerumen to be pushed towards the eardrum against the normal direction of migration and block the external ear canal, therefore nothing should be inserted into the external ear canal.”
Swimmers are at risk
Assoc. Prof. stated that one of the common problems in the summer months is common external ear canal infections. Dr. Murat Topak said, “The majority of cases occur in the summer. It is seen in warm and humid environments. Cotton swabs, trauma caused by foreign objects and scratching, headphones, swimming or frequent bathing and showering are among the factors that increase the tendency. Swimmers are prone to external ear canal infections due to the loss of the protective cerumen layer of the external ear canal due to frequent contact with water. "The combination of several of these factors increases the risk even more," he said.
Itching occurs in the mild stage and pain occurs in the middle stage
The most common cause of outer ear canal infection is Assoc. Prof. stated that it causes complaints of pain, fullness, itching and hearing loss. Dr. Murat Topak said, “In the mild stage, while the pain is not very severe, itching is at the forefront. In the middle stage, pain increases. "In severe stages, the infection can spread beyond the external auditory canal to the auricle, face and behind the ear," said Assoc. Prof. Stating that young children may not be able to fully explain their complaints. Dr. Murat Topak warned, "It is necessary to be careful if they cry when you touch their ears, pull their ears, sometimes have fever, discharge in the external ear canal, cannot sleep comfortably, and cry more than normal."
What should be done for protection?
Assoc. Dr. Murat Topak gave the following recommendations to protect against external ear canal infection:
“Keeping the external ear canal dry, using earplugs and swimming caps while swimming, not scratching the external ear canal with cotton swabs or other objects, cleaning the external ear canal by ourselves. Not trying to clean the cerumen in the tract, drying the external ear canal with a towel after swimming.”
Assoc. Prof. stated that the treatment of cerumen plugs is done by the physician by aspiration or lavage. Dr. Murat Topak said, “It may be necessary to soften very hard and dry stems with glycerin for a few days. Treatment of external ear canal infections is performed with cleaning of the external ear canal, antibiotic ear drops, antibiotic and steroid tampons placed in the external ear canal when necessary, systemic antibiotics, and antimycotic drops if there is a fungal infection. "If you have complaints that make you think of a cerumen plug or external ear canal infection, you should consult an ENT physician," he warned.
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