Otitis externa is a painful condition in which the ear canal becomes inflamed and itchy due to an infection. It can be incredibly uncomfortable and lead to discharge and dulled hearing. The problem can last for months or become recurrent.
Causes of Chronic Otitis
There are several possible causes of chronic otitis which include:
- Damage to the Canal and External Ear
- Using Ill-Fitting or Shared Earplugs
- Regular Swimming
- Sensitivity to Soap or Shampoo
- A Build-Up of Ear Wax
- Narrow Ear Canal
- A Skin Condition Such as Dermatitis or Psoriasis
Treatment can involve traditional painkillers, antibiotics or ear drops which contain steroids, antibiotics or antifungals. If the ear is too swollen for eardrops to be inserted then an ear wick may be used.
Preventing Chronic Otitis
So what can you do to avoid getting repeat infections of the external ear and ear canal? Here are three tips to help you prevent this painful ear infection.
1. Do Not Clean Your Ears with Cotton Buds
The danger of using cotton buds to clean your ears is that you can end up pushing wax further into your ear which will irritate your ear canal and lead to infection.
Ear wax is needed by the ear to protect and moisturise the ear canal to prevent infection and dryness. Pushing it back into the ear or removing too much of it can all lead to infection. If you feel that you suffer from too much wax then you should consult your doctor or pharmacist who will give you drops and advice.
2. Do Not Allow Soap or Shampoo to Go into Your Ears
These chemical based solutions can cause further irritation and could result in a flare-up of chronic otitis.
3. Use Moulded Earplugs
Using earplugs when showering, bathing or swimming will help prevent water from entering your ears.
Moulded earplugs are the best ones to use as they are moulded to the shape of your particular ear so they will not irritate or fall out, instead they will provide an effective seal against the water.
ZenPlugs earplugs are also coated with an antibacterial compound to further fight off harmful bacteria.
The treatment for chronic otitis may help ease a current infection but prevention is always better than a cure. So if you want to nip chronic otitis in the bud, follow our three handy tips for healthy and happy ears.
ZenPlugs Custom Molded Ear Plugs are superb at protecting against otitis externa as they are comfortable and effective at blocking sea water and soap from your ears. They are individually molded to your ear canals and are even antibacterial so are more hygienic. Visit the website to find out more and buy yours now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toby_Bateson
0 comments:
Post a Comment