For most outer ear infections, your doctor will prescribe an eardrop that contains a combination of:
- an acidic solution to make the ear canal a less favourable environment for bacteria to grow
- a steroid to reduce swelling and inflammation
- an antibiotic or antifungal
Your doctor will first clear the debris out of the ear canal. In severe cases, if the canal is partly closed by inflammation, a wick can be inserted to draw the eardrops in. The wick expands and holds the medication close to the infected area in the ear. When using eardrops, warm them to body temperature by holding the container in your hand for a few minutes before putting the drops in.
For severe infections, antibiotics taken by mouth will be prescribed. Treatment of malignant otitis externa requires several weeks of antibiotics given into a vein.
To help ease the pain associated with an outer ear infection, pain relievers such as acetaminophen*, ibuprofen, or naproxen can be used. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about which pain medication is best for you.
While you are being treated for an outer ear infection, don't swim and keep water out of your ear.
To help prevent outer ear infections, it's always a good idea to dry the ears thoroughly after showering or swimming. You can use a hair dryer set on the lowest setting. Never direct a shower jet directly into the ear canal. Also, don't use cotton swabs to clean or dry the ear canal. To prevent outer ear infections due to swimming, wear a swimming cap or use over-the-counter ear drops with acetic acid or alcohol after swimming. Avoid ear plugs, as they actually can increase the risk of outer ear infections. If you or your child get recurrent infections, or if these preventative measures do not work, contact your doctor.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Outer-Ear-Infection