L10 Ear Infections Flashcards
(102 cards)
Why are infants more likely to get ear infections?
Their eustachian tube is more horizontal (nose to ear drainage)
“Swimmers ear”
otitis externa
Cause of otitis externa
heat/moisture leads to swelling and maceration of EAC allowing bacteria to enter, trauma, skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis)
Etiology of Otitis Externa
Bacterial (most common) or fungal
Bacteria causing otitis externa
pseudomonas aeruginosa (38%), staph epidermidis (9%), staph aureus (8%)
Fungus causing otitis externa
Asperigillus niger or Candida albicans
Clinical presentation of otitis externa
ostalgia (worse with movement of tragus and pinna), pruritus (mild/severe), discharge, EAC may be erythematous and edematous, decreased hearing or swelling (conductive due to d/c or swelling)
Yellow discharge with OE
staph infection
Green discharge with OE
pseudomonas infection
Fluffy white/black “bread mold” discharge with OE
fungal infection
Otomycosis
fungal OE
Tx for OE
Cortisporin otic suspension (polymixin B, neomycin, hydrocortison), Floxin otic solution (ofloxacin), ciprodex or CiproHC (ciprofloxacin + glucocorticoid)
First line treatment for OE
Cortisporin otic solution
Treatment of OE with perforated TM
floxin otic solution (ofloxacin)
Side effects of Cortisporin otic solution
allergic rxn.- contact dermatitis, DON’T USE WITH TM PERFORATION
Why are otic suspensions better than solution?
less acidic (pH 5 vs. pH 3.4), so less irritation to infected tissues
Tx for fungal OE
Clotrimazole 1% solution (BID x 14 days), Acidifying solution (acetic acid)
Tx for marked swelling in EAC
ear wick (Oto-wick)- apply medication to wick TID-QID; remove wick after 48-72 hours and continue meds as directed
Management of OE
pain control, keep canal dry (no swimming 7-10d, cotton in ear when bathing)
How soon do OE usually resolve
5-7 days
If no improvement of OE in 48-72 hours what do you consider?
noncompliance, otomycosis, periauricular cellulitis, or malignant otits externa
Prevention of OE
prophylaxis: 2% acetic acid (Vosol), vinegar soluiton, isopropyl alcohol or hair dryer; bathing cap or custom ear plugs
Malignant OE
necrotizing external otitis
Cause of MOE
infection spreads from skin of EAC to skull base (pseudomonas)