With the sea and pool season, we start to see external ear canal infections the most in ENT clinics. External auditory canal; It is the outer part of our ear up to the eardrum. This area of our ear actually has a system that protects itself. There are hairs at the entrance to the outer ear canal. It prevents the entry of dust and foreign objects. At the base of the feathers, a yellow-brown liquid mixture of oil and acid covers the ear entrance in the form of a ring. This liquid, which we call serum, prevents the skin from cracking with its oil content, and fights microbes with its acid content. Unfortunately, this protective fluid decreases as you spend more time in the pool and the sea. The moist and protective outer ear canal becomes vulnerable to infection. If we scratch, cracks form and microbes easily cause infection.
External ear canal infection can cause severe pain. Sometimes the canal becomes so swollen and painful that we cannot lie on it and sleep. Even talking and eating become difficult due to the pain. Ear blockage, discharge and decreased hearing may also occur. Pain is exacerbated by pressing on the cartilage in front of the ear and moving the auricle.
The first thing to do in the treatment is to clean the ear canal. In this way, we get an open channel that can breathe and the drops can reach, and the throbbing is relieved a little. Sometimes canal swelling does not leave us with any space. In this case, we place a sponge-like wick into the ear canal so that the drops can reach the infection site. We remove the suppository after two days. Preparation drops are very effective. Injection next to it, when the pain is severe; We add medication when the pain is mild. In cases where the pain is very mild, drops alone may be sufficient.
To protect against ear infections, if there is any dirt accumulation in the ear canal, we should have it cleaned before the holiday. We should not use ear sticks into the ear canal or scratch our ears. If humidity bothers you, we should dehumidify the ear canal by holding the hair dryer around the ear for half a minute on a warm setting. I do not recommend plugs that are pushed into the ear, as they cause both dirt accumulation and cracks. But plugs placed in the ear canal can be used for protection. People who have a hole in their eardrum, have an ear tube, or are known to have a fungal infection or eczema should definitely use a plug.
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