The outer ear consists of the auricle and the external auditory canal (cartilaginous and bony part). They perform a sound-conducting function. From the middle ear the outer is separated by a tympanic membrane. If there is a local inflammation in the area of ??the ear canal, it is usually believed that this is a limited external otitis, most often this is a consequence of the boil. Also, there may be diffuse inflammation in the area of ??the ear canal - the external ear is damaged in its bone and cartilage part, which is called diffuse external otitis. With diffuse otitis inflamed skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue, can affect the outer part of the eardrum, as the Internet publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years Pannochka. net Reasons.

The main causes of external otitis are infection of the skin with microbes (staphylococci, hemophilic rods, pneumococci or klebsiella), viruses or fungi (most often candida). As a result, acute purulent or fungal otitis may form. Skidding infection in the external ear can occur when the pus flow out of the perforation in the eardrum with purulent processes of the middle or inner ear.

Risk factors for the development of external otitis are the injuries and trauma of the skin in the area of ??the ear canal and auricle. This is possible with violations of hygiene, foreign bodies, improper cleaning of the ears, ingestion of aggressive liquids in the ears, self-extraction of sulfur plugs, itching in the ears with dermatitis and eczema, diabetes mellitus. Inflammation is promoted by constant falling in the ears of water, a decrease in the body's defenses, hypovitaminosis, immunodeficiencies, chronic infections, stresses.

Classification of external otitis.

Adjacent external otitis media is divided into:.

acute and chronic, depending on the duration and activity of inflammation.

By involving in the process:.

one-sided or two-sided.

The prevalence of otitis occurs:.

limited (usually inflammation around the boil) and diffuse (extending to the cartilaginous and osseous part of the outer ear).

Manifestations of limited external otitis media.

Usually this form occurs if the ear is affected by the boil, however, due to the features of the circulation and innervation, flow peculiarities arise. Itching and pain of the ear canal, which can be severe due to swelling and nerve compression. They give in the temple, occipital region and jaws. Can grasp the entire half of the head from the side of the affected ear. Increased pain occurs during chewing, at rest and during sleep. Furuncle, expanding and swelling, can block the lumen of the ear, which can lead to severe hearing loss. Symptoms grow to severe pain.

When the furuncle is opened, the pus flows and pain decreases, but there can be infection of neighboring follicles and relapse, with the formation of persistent furunculosis, with complete overlapping of the ear canal and resistance to therapy. Usually, nearby lymph nodes increase, there is swelling in the behind-eye area, the ear protrudes, making otitis similar to mastoiditis. Such otitis often occur in adults and in pregnancy.

The basis for the diagnosis of limited otitis media is ear examination and otoscopy, which, when the ear is pulled, gives a sharp pain. Inside the auditory canal, a furuncle is found in the form of a swelling of bright red color, when ripe with a purulent tip. When a large lesion is limited to hearing by type of conductive hearing loss. When a furuncle is found, sowing is carried out on the flora.

Manifestations of diffuse external otitis media.

Diffuse otitis externa appears as a feeling of bursting and burning, itching, increased local temperature. It often happens in young children, it often occurs in the elderly, especially those with chronic diseases. A separate form in patients with diabetes is malignant, necrotic diffuse otitis.

When inflammation quickly occurs, severe pain, giving off in half of the head, with an increase in chewing. This leads to a refusal to eat and sleep disturbance, swelling and narrowing of the ear canal, which in turn greatly reduces hearing. With diffuse otitis, the symptoms accompany discharge from the ear of serous fluid, then passing into a purulent. Symptoms of regional lymphadenitis, inflammation of the lymph nodes. The infection can spread to the area of ??the auricle and the parotid zone. All symptoms last for about two to three weeks, gradually decreasing in the background of treatment. Without adequate therapy, the otitis passes into a protracted and chronic, with a persistent decrease in hearing as a result of the formation of adhesions and scars in the auditory canal.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of examination and palpation of the ear, with pressure on the tragus and sharp soreness. The skin in the passage is edematous and red, the swelling of the walls is pronounced and the channel is sharply narrowed, there may be cracks and scars, crusts, the excretion of greenish pus. There is a hearing loss with almost total absence of hearing in the affected ear. With the allocation of pus, it is necessary to sow with the determination of the pathogen.

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