Outer ear infection Overview - InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf Warning: The NCBI web site requires JavaScript to function. more... An official website of the United States government Here's how you know The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Log in Show account info Close Account Logged in as: username Dashboard Publications Account settings Log out Access keys NCBI MyNCBI Main Content Main Navigation Bookshelf database term Browse Titles Advanced Help NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. InformedHealth org Internet Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. InformedHealth org Internet Cologne, Germany: Contents term < Prev Next > Outer ear infection Overview Last Update: February 13, 2020; Next update: 2023. IntroductionOuter ear infections typically lead to redness and swelling in the ear. They are among the most common causes of earache. In many cases they are caused by bacteria. But fungi, viruses or allergies are sometimes to blame too. The outer ear includes the part of the ear you can see (the auricle) and the outer ear canal. The outer ear canal leads from the eardrum to the auricle. The medical term for inflammations of the outer ear is "otitis externa." They are usually caused by infections. Outer ear infection Symptoms Outer ear infections are often very painful– especially when you touch or tug on your earlobe. Itching is common too. The skin in the ear canal is red and swollen, and sometimes also sheds skin flakes or oozes a liquid. The ear might then become blocked, making it difficult to hear properly. In about 1 out of 3 people the symptoms are so severe that it affects their everyday lives. About 1 out of 5 people have to stay home from work or school for a few days because of the infection. Causes and risk factorsOuter ear infections are usually caused by bacteria. They are sometimes caused by a fungus, such as a yeast, but that’s less common. Viral illnesses like the flu or a certain type of shingles (Zoster oticus) may also lead to an outer ear infection. And sometimes allergic reactions – for instance, to a shampoo – are to blame. Outer ear infections are also often called "swimmer's ear" because germs can easily get into the ear canal while you're swimming. This means that people who swim a lot are more likely to get outer ear infections. Minor injuries to the ear – for instance, through the use of cotton ear buds to clean your ear, or regularly wearing headphones that you stick inside your ear ("in-ear headphones") – can increase the risk too. People who have already had an outer ear infection or are generally prone to infections are also more likely to get outer ear infections. If you have sensitive ear canals, don't use earplugs to protect your ears from noise, dust or water too often. That's also true for the use of in-ear headphones when you listen to music or make phone calls. It might be better to try different headphones if you're prone to outer ear infections. If you've noticed that certain shampoos, soaps or other cosmetic products lead to ear infections, it's best to try out other products instead. TreatmentThe medications that are commonly used to treat outer ear infections include painkillers and disinfectant ear drops or sprays. These are available from pharmacies without a prescription. Acute outer ear infections that are caused by bacteria are often treated using special ear drops that have to be prescribed by a doctor. If the symptoms don't improve within a few days, it's advisable to see a doctor. If the infection is severe or lasts for several weeks, your doctor might clean your ear and place a little sponge or a strip of gauze soaked in ear drop fluid into your ear canal. Sometimes other kinds of medication are needed too – for instance, if the ear infection was caused by shingles. Burton MJ, Singer M, Rosenfeld RM. : 20620612] Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin (DEGAM). Hajioff D, MacKeith S. Kaushik V, Malik T, Saeed SR. : 20091565] Lenarz T, Boenninghaus HG. Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde. Berlin: Springer; 2012. Wiegand S, Berner R, Schneider A, Lundershausen E, Dietz A. : PMC6522672] [ : 31064650] IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helping people understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and health care services. Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to the German health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individual case can be determined by talking to a doctor. We do not offer individual consultations. Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a team of health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in our methods. © IQWiG (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care) Bookshelf ID: NBK279353 Contents < Prev Next > Share Views InformedHealth org Internet Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Outer ear infection Overview. [Updated 2020 Feb 13]. Disable Glossary Links In this Page Informed Health Links More about Outer ear infection Research summaries: What helps if earwax builds up? Research summaries: Which ear drops help in the treatment of outer ear infections? 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