Otitis externa - is an infectious disease of the external acoustic meatus unlike a middle ear infection, which delivers an inflammatory process in the cavity behind the eardrum.
The skin external auditory canal comprises a gland, in the normal state producing protective waxy coating which repels both water and acid and which can delay invading bacteria.
Water during swimming and diving can wash away this protective coating and create a warm moist environment, which will become a breeding ground for bacteria. With high probability a child can get otitis externa, swimming in warm or in dirty water, which contains more bacteria than in cool or chlorinated
- ear starts to itch or hurt shortly after the voyage;
- the pain starts after one or two days after sailing, and increases rapidly;
- from the external auditory meatus allocated unpleasantly smelling liquid, which resembles mucous discharge at a cold;
- try the test "pulling the earlobe": tug the lobe of his ear, or click on the small pouch. Which covers the external auditory canal - it will plunge to its compression.
If the child twitches or complains of pain, it is likely that he otitis externa.
