Download Otitis Externa - Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

© G15112005W. Design Services
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
All Rights Reserved 2015
This document MUST NOT be photocopied
Information Leaflet Control Policy:
Unique Identifier: NOE60(15)
Review Date: December 2017
Please only leave your hearing aid out if
you are safe to do so. It is important that
you hear any alarms, doorbells, traffic and
if you are at risk of being unable to do this
we would prefer you to wear your hearing
aid.
For further information on this leaflet, it’s references
and sources used, please contact 0161 206 4756
Do not clean your ears with anything. Even
if your ears feel blocked, do not use cotton
buds or any other instruments or tissue to
clean inside them.
Copies of this information are available in other
languages and formats upon request.
In accordance with the Equality Act we will make
‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable individuals with
disabilities, to access this treatment / service.
This will damage your ear canals and push
the infection further down in to the ear
making it much harder to be treated.
Otitis Externa
If you need this interpreting please telephone
Contact Numbers
If you have any questions or problems,
please contact:
Rachel Curran
ENT Specialist Nurse
0161 206 4756
[email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy.
For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital
Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 0161 206 1779
Salford Royal NHS
Foundation Trust
Stott Lane,
Salford,
Manchester,
M6 8HD
Telephone
0161 789 7373
www.srft.nhs.uk
If you would
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Trust Member
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could be improved
in the future then
please visit:
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http://www.srft.
nhs.uk/for-patients
Turnberg Building
Ear, Nose & Throat
0161 206 4756
What is otitis externa?
How is otitis externa treated?
Otitis externa is a general term for an
outer ear infection (infection in the ear
canal). This can be caused by bacteria or
fungus / yeast and can sometimes be quite
difficult to manage.
If your doctor or nurse has diagnosed
otitis externa there are a few different
treatments that might be used. If there is
any discharge or debris in your ear canal,
this will be removed by using either microsuction or one of our specially designed
instruments.
People with otitis externa can experience
some or all of the following symptoms:
l Pain / discomfort
l Discharge
l Blocked ear/hearing loss
l Itching
l Swelling of the outer ear (ear canal
and pinna)
Sometimes people don’t experience any
symptoms at all.
Pinna
Once the ear is clean, the doctor or nurse
may insert some ointment in to your ear to
treat the infection or they might prescribe
you some ear drops to use.
In very severe or difficult to manage
cases of infection, you might be given a
prescription for some tablet antibiotics as
well but usually the drops or ointment are
very successful and this is not required.
What can I do to help my infection
get better?
Always follow the instructions on your
prescriptions and even if your ear feels as if
it is better, continue the prescription until
the course of treatment is complete.
Sometimes your ear can feel better very
quickly but some of the infection is still
present so it will get worse if you stop the
treatment.
Keep your ear very dry when bathing.
When having a shower or washing your
hair, use a piece of cotton wool covered
in Vaseline or other yellow soft paraffin
product to block your infected ear canal to
stop the water from going in to the ear.
This will stop the ear from becoming
irritated by the water and will stop any
more bacteria from entering the ear whilst
you shower. If you have a bath, don’t put
your head under the water and it is a good
idea to avoid swimming while you have an
ear infection.
If you wear a hearing aid, it is very important
to keep this clean. You should clean the
ear mould (the part that goes in your ear)
with anti-bacterial wipes or solution every
day as the infection from your ear will stay
on the hearing aid until it is cleaned and
will keep re-infecting your ear.
It is also a good idea to not wear your
hearing aid until the infection has cleared
or to leave it out for long periods of time
throughout the day. This will help the
ear dry up a little and stop it from getting
warm and sweaty (the perfect environment
for bacteria to grow in).
continued next page
Ear Canal
© G15112005W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2015. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: NOE60(15). Review date: December 2017