What is the difference between otitis media and externa?

What is the difference between otitis media and externa?

Otitis means inflammation of the ear. The inflammation is usually due to an infection. Otitis externa means that the inflammation is confined to the external part of the ear canal and does not go further than the eardrum. See separate leaflet called Ear Infection (Otitis Media), for an infection of the middle ear.

What is the easiest way to differentiate between otitis media and otitis externa?

Otitis externa is easily diagnosed by looking into the external ear with an otoscope. The main problem with diagnosis is deciding whether or not there is also an otitis media, as often one cannot see the ear drum very well as the external ear canal is swollen, painful and filled with debris.

How can otitis externa be prevented?

What can I do to prevent swimmer’s ear (otitis externa)?

1. Keep ears as dry as possible.
2. Turn your head from side to side after getting out of water.
3. Don’t stick anything into your ear canal.
4. Don’t swim in polluted water.
5. Do not swallow the water you swim in.

What is otitis media?

An ear infection (sometimes called acute otitis media) is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections.

What is the difference between serous otitis media and otitis media with effusion?

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a collection of non-infected fluid in the middle ear space. It is also called serous or secretory otitis media (SOM). This fluid may accumulate in the middle ear as a result of a cold, sore throat or upper respiratory infection.

What is the difference between otitis media and mastoiditis?

Otitis Media is an infection of the middle ear. Patients typically present with otalgia, otorrhea, fever, irritability, anorexia, and hearing loss. Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone. Patients present with pain, swelling, and erythema over the mastoid bone.

How do you manage otitis media?

Management of acute otitis media should begin with adequate analgesia. Antibiotic therapy can be deferred in children two years or older with mild symptoms. High-dose amoxicillin (80 to 90 mg per kg per day) is the antibiotic of choice for treating acute otitis media in patients who are not allergic to penicillin.

How do you prevent otitis externa in dogs?

To try and prevent further instances of otitis externa you should regularly clean your dog’s ears. Some dogs may be more prone to chronic otitis, and regular cleaning is unlikely to prevent this.

Which risk factors help diagnose a patient with media otitis?

The following are proven risk factors for otitis media:

• Prematurity and low birth weight.
• Young age.
• Early onset.
• Family history.
• Race – Native American, Inuit, Australian aborigine.
• Altered immunity.
• Craniofacial abnormalities.
• Neuromuscular disease.

How does otitis media spread?

Spread of infection from the ear and temporal bone causes intracranial complications of otitis media. Spread of infection occurs through 3 routes, namely, direct extension, thrombophlebitis, and hematogenous dissemination.