Definition for otitis externa

Otitis externa ("swimmer's ear") is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Along with otitis media, external otitis is one of the two human conditions commonly called "earache". more

Otitis externa ("swimmer's ear") is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Along with otitis media, external otitis is one of the two human conditions commonly called "earache". It also occurs in many other species. Inflammation of the skin of the ear canal is the essence of this disorder. If inflammation progresses to infection, the ear canal may fill with swollen tissue and drainage. Once the ear canal is blocked, hearing will be dampened (conductive hearing impairment) until the condition improves. In very severe cases, the skin infection can spread to the face (facial cellulitis) and to the major salivary gland in the cheek (parotitis). In that situation, moving the jaw and eating become painful. In its mildest forms, external otitis is so common that some ear nose and throat physicians have suggested that most people will have an episode at some point in life. In many individuals, for the reasons discussed below, the condition is recurrent and will happen several times in a lifetime. less