Otitis externa is fairly common, especially among teenagers and young adults. Swimming in polluted water is one way to contract swimmer's ear, but it is also possible to contract swimmer's ear by swimming in a pool that is well maintained or even from water trapped in the ear canal after a shower, especially in a humid climate. Water trapped in the ear canal is not the only cause, however -- the condition can be caused by scratching the ear or an object stuck in it. Trying to clean wax from the ear canal, especially with cotton swabs or small objects, can irritate or damage the skin. It is occasionally associated with middle ear infection (otitis media) or upper respiratory infections such as colds. Middle ear infections can occur after the ear drum is perforated by a fungal growth from the outer ear. Moisture in the ear predisposes the ear to infection from fungus or water-loving bacteria such as Pseudomonas.

Symptoms

Ear pain -- may worsen when pulling the outer ear
Itching of the ear or ear canal
Drainage from the ear -- yellow, yellow-green, pus-like, or foul smelling
Decreased hearing or hearing loss

Signs and tests

When the physician looks in the ear, it appears red and swollen, including the ear canal. The ear canal may appear eczema-like, with scaly shedding of skin. Touching or moving the outer ear increases the pain. It may be difficult for the physician to see the eardrum with an otoscope. Taking some of the ear's drainage and doing a culture on it may identify bacteria or fungus.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection. The ear canal should be cleaned of drainage to allow topical medications to work effectively. Depending on how severe the infection is, it may be necessary for a doctor to aspirate the ear as many times as twice a week for the first two or three weeks of treatment.

Effective medications include eardrops containing antibiotics to fight infection, and corticosteroids to reduce itching and inflammation. Use of antibiotics to treat ear infections may result in treatment of the wrong cause of the infection because not all ear infections are bacterial; some are fungal, and it is possible to have both a bacterial and fungal ear infection.

Ear drops should be used abundantly (four or five drops at a time) in order to penetrate the end of the ear canal. If the ear canal is very swollen, a wick may be applied in the ear to allow the drops to travel to the end of the canal. Occasionally, pills may be used in addition to the topical medications. Analgesics may be used if pain is severe. Putting something warm against the ears may reduce pain.

Read more at Wikipedia.org

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Ear care hits OTC aisle - What's Hot - Brief Article
From Drug Store News, 6/9/03

With more and more doctors hesitant to prescribe antibiotics as the first line of treatment for pediatric ear infections, moms are making themselves heard loud and clear in the OTC aisles. Accordingly, drug channel sales of ear drops have increased by more than 15 percent in the 52 weeks ending April 19, according to AC-Nielsen scan data, to reach a base of $30 million. Only two years ago, that $30 million base represented all channels.

Although those sales include ear wax removal products and swimmer's ear remedies, category growth has largely been driven by Similisan with its homeopathic brand earache relief drops, as well as other homeopathic remedies including Hyland's quick dissolve earache tablets.

Joining Similisan and Hyland's on shelf later this week will be Del Pharmaceutical's Gentle Naturals Earache Relief, another homeopathic formula that will retail for $7.99. Much like Hyland's remedy, the liquid Gentle Naturals drops is taken by mouth.

Del will be using a $5 million ad spend to support the entire Gentle Naturals line in an effort to reach as many as 85 percent of moms.

According to a Mayo Clinic Web site, more than 90 percent of all children have had an ear infection by age 7, and 75 percent of kids 7 years and under have had three or more.

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