Expert reminds: take out an ear immediately after bath may cause otitis externa. The ear is an important organ, but it is also fragile and needs to be well protected. Because of the appearance of earwax in the ear, we need to dig it from time to time. However, we should be very careful when digging the ear. We should choose the right time and tools. If we dig the ear in the bath, it may affect the health of the ear. Because, at this time the ear is wet, easy to be stimulated by the outside world to produce otitis media.
After taking a bath, I accidentally got otitis externa
Xiaoling and Xiaoyan are a pair of good sisters. They often eat, have classes and go shopping together. They are inseparable. A few days ago, they took a bath at home together. They rubbed each other's back to play. Xiaoling felt a stream of water rushing to her right ear. She didn't care at that time, but patted her ear head down. After washing, Xiao Ling used a cotton swab to pick out her ear again. She always felt that her ear was aching faintly. When she chewed something at dinner, Xiao Ling scared the whole family. She said that her right ear was aching, and her head was also aching here. When her mother learned of the situation, she rushed her to the hospital. It turned out that her ear was flooded and she suffered from otitis externa.
Otitis externa is mainly induced by external factors
Otitis externa can be divided into two types, one is localized otitis externa, also known as external auditory canal furuncle. The other is diffuse inflammation of external auditory canal skin, also known as diffuse otitis externa.
Diffuse otitis externa is caused by gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, or rarely fungi. Furuncle of external auditory canal is often caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Some people (such as those with allergic reactions, psoriasis, eczema or seborrheic dermatitis) are particularly susceptible to otitis externa.
Infection of the external auditory canal can be localized (boils) or involve the entire external auditory canal (diffuse otitis externa). It is often seen in the summer swimming season and is often called the swimmer's ear.
Inducing factors include: water or various irritants, such as eruptive agent or hair dye liquid, entering the external auditory canal, and ear injury caused by swabbing the ear canal. Through the epithelial desquamation, like the conveyor belt movement, desquamation is transmitted from the outside of the tympanic membrane to the outside for self-cleaning of the external auditory canal. Patients use cotton swabs to artificially clean the external auditory canal (ear swab), which interferes with the self-cleaning mechanism. As the direction of ear swab is opposite to the direction of epithelial desquamation activity, debris can be pushed into the ear canal to promote the accumulation of desquamation. Desquamation and cerumen absorb the water into the external auditory canal, causing skin softening, creating conditions for the invasion of pathogenic bacteria.
To prevent otitis externa, we should get rid of the bad habit of ear digging
Prevention and treatment of otitis externa is mainly to control infection and promote dry ears. We should get rid of the bad habit of ear digging in our daily life. Ear digging not only damages the skin and causes infection, but also often stimulates the skin. It is also easy to grow 'external auditory canal papilloma', causing frequent bleeding of the ear canal and even affecting hearing. Secondly, we should prevent sewage from entering our ears. Before shampooing and swimming, you can use a special rubber stopper or a clean cotton ball to apply ointment to block the external auditory canal. Cerumen or foreign body in external auditory canal should be removed in time. Finally, pay attention to keep the ear dry to avoid injury.
Knowledge link: diagnostic basis of acute otitis externa
1. The skin of external auditory canal was soaked with water, the pus of middle ear was stimulated, and the infection was secondary to ear excavation injury. Eczema of external auditory canal and diabetes can also be predisposing factors.
2. The otodynia is pulsating, which is aggravated when opening the mouth and chewing, and can radiate to the temporal part. Often accompanied by headache, fever and general discomfort.
3. The skin of ear canal showed diffuse hyperemia, erosion and purulent scab. The furuncle was confined to 1 / 3 of the external auditory canal, with mound like protuberance and pus spots on the top when it was mature.
4. There is tenderness in the tragus, auricle, mastoid skin, and lymph nodes around the ear.