First-time experience with otitis externa symptoms, causes, and treatment review

Recently, I suddenly experienced a feeling of fullness in my ears, which caused discomfort. It was okay when I stayed still, but as soon as I became aware of my ears, they also hurt a bit. So I visited an ENT specialist and for the first time in my life, I was diagnosed with otitis externa. I will talk about the symptoms, causes, and recovery period of otitis externa.

 

 

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One day, I woke up and looked at my pillow. Hmm? What is this?

I woke up and washed my face, but my ear was very painful. When I touched it, there was a lot of pus in my ear. I found out that the yellow stain on my pillow was pus.

 

I had been experiencing ear pain for a while, but when I saw the pillow, I sensed something was wrong, so I went to the ENT clinic that day.

And I developed a condition called otitis externa for the first time in my life.

 

 

Symptoms of otitis externa?

Most symptoms of otitis externa are primarily itching and a feeling of fullness.

My external ear canal inflammation symptoms included intense itching, burning sensation after scratching, a feeling of fullness in the ear, discharge, and pain experienced every time I slept (due to lying down), among other symptoms.

 

Cause?

The doctor at the hospital asked about my symptoms and whether I usually poke my ears, so I said I occasionally clean my ears with an ear pick. Recently, after showering, water remained in my outer ear, so I wiped it with a cotton swab and a towel. I did that briefly over the past few days, and it seems to have developed into otitis externa. The cause was the cotton swab... even though I haven't used it for a long time, my ear skin is delicate, so I guess that's why.

I described my symptoms and received a prescription for medication and ointment.

 

 

Outer ear canal inflammation treatment?

I received infrared therapy for two minutes before leaving the hospital, and it looked like a hairdryer, so I found it fascinating. I was holding the machine myself.

 

The prescribed medication - take it for three days first, then come back to the hospital.

 

The prescribed ointment is an ear antibiotic liquid, and I was told to put it in while lying down. At first, it feels a bit strange after putting it in my ear.

 

 

What is the recovery period for otitis externa?

Taking medication doesn't lead to quick recovery in a short period; it seems to require some amount of time.

If you take the medication until today, it will be finished, but the oozing symptoms have almost disappeared, although the itching still persists. There is no pain during normal times, but my ears get irritated while sleeping, so I sleep lying flat. After finishing this medication, I think I need to visit the hospital once more. Besides medication, it is very important not to touch the ear canal with cotton swabs or hands until all symptoms of otitis externa have completely disappeared!!

 

I usually never stick or clean my ears with cotton swabs, but recently, I don't know what possessed me, I gently cleaned my ears with a cotton swab after showering. It wasn't for a long time, but I got otitis externa so quickly, which makes me a little upset and realize once again how bad cotton swabs are. Everyone, don't clean your ears with cotton swabs.