Which instruction should be given to patients with otitis externa?

Which instruction should be given to patients with otitis externa?

• A. Wear ear plugs at all times with swimming
• B. Keep ear dry until symptoms improve
• C. Limit swimming for remainder of summer
• D. Use alcohol drops before swimming each day

Answer: (B)

Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear canal, and moisture in that area tends to worsen the inflammation by softening the skin and promoting bacterial growth. Keeping the ear dry during treatment reduces the environment that bacteria and fungi thrive in and speeds healing. Therefore, the best instruction is to keep the ear dry until symptoms improve, avoiding submerging the ear and taking care to dry the canal after any water exposure. Avoid routine use of drops before swimming, and don’t rely on wearing ear plugs all the time or limiting swimming for a whole season; the key is maintaining dryness through the healing period.

Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear canal, and moisture in that area tends to worsen the inflammation by softening the skin and promoting bacterial growth. Keeping the ear dry during treatment reduces the environment that bacteria and fungi thrive in and speeds healing. Therefore, the best instruction is to keep the ear dry until symptoms improve, avoiding submerging the ear and taking care to dry the canal after any water exposure. Avoid routine use of drops before swimming, and don’t rely on wearing ear plugs all the time or limiting swimming for a whole season; the key is maintaining dryness through the healing period.