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Useful tips of Ear Problems
Hear, Hear: For days you've had
an itch inside your ear. Now it actually hurts. You may have an outer ear infection a.k.a. Swimmer's Ear, caused by a fungal, viral or, most commonly, bacterial infection. This is not something that only 8-year-olds get. Nor is it stuff to kid about. Bacteria can get a start due to:- Excessive moisture in the ear canal: Repeated exposure to water may result in loss of earwax. Unprotected, the ear canal's skin retains moisture and becomes irritated. The normal pH balance is also disrupted, allowing bacteria to grow. Hearing aid use - those mobile earphones, included - may also promote moisture build up in the ear canal.
- Injury or irritation of the ear canal skin: Scratching the ear canal or removing wax with make-shift tools (such as hairpins) can damage the skin providing an "in" for bacteria, or even damage your ear drum. Efforts to clean the canal with cotton swabs can backfire, forcing in excess wax and debris and causing injury. Occasionally, an infected hair follicle causes irritation.
- Chronic skin conditions or allergies: Skin conditions such as eczema and seborrhea (dandruff) may provide an entry point for bacteria. Allergies to hair dyes or sprays may irritate the skin and lead to infection.
Signs and symptoms of an ear canal infection may include itchiness in the ear canal, ear pain, pain when touching the outer ear, oozing pus or hearing loss. Ear pain or discomfort warrants a visit to a doctor, who'll examine not just the organ, but also your head and neck. Your hearing may be checked, too. Antibiotic eardrops are often prescribed. Sometimes, the drops include a steroid to treat inflammation in the ear. Untreated, the bacteria can spread from the ear canal skin into nearby tissues, including cartilage and bone leading to nerve damage, facial paralysis, even death.
- Carefully dry your ears with a hair dryer or towel after swimming or bathing.
- Put several drops of a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar or of water and medicinal alcohol (ether) in the ear canal to aid drying after swimming.
- Avoid excessive ear cleaning (simply wipe out whatever is at the opening of the ear canal).
- Put cotton balls in your ears when applying hair spray or dye