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Author: Christine Au
Medical Student- OMS-II
Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
AAEM/RSA Social Media Committee
As summer is nearing an end, the days of pool parties and water sports has brought many cases of the much dreaded ear infection to emergency departments around the country. Otitis externa is known among most as “Swimmer’s Ear.” Acute otitis externa (AOE) is an inflammation of the external ear canal and is further explained as a cellulitis of the skin inside the external ear canal. In North America, 98% of the causes of AOE are bacterial, but viral and fungal sources have also been documented.[1] The most likely bacterial causes of AOE are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staph aureus.[1] According to Rosenfeld, the diagnosis is based on the rapid onset of disease; in most cases, the pain occurs within 48 hours from the time of exposure.[2] In addition, most patients experience itching, severe pain (otalgia), and in some cases, may complain of a feeling of “fullness” in the affected ear.[2] Some patients may also have pain upon jaw movement or even hearing loss.[2-3]
