What causes otitis externa, and why is it so painful?
Otitis externa is defined as inflammation of the skin of the external ear. The causes of otitis externa include:
? Bacterial infection following trauma or abrasion
? Failure to thoroughly clean probe tips and specula, causing infection to be transmitted from client to client
? Viral infection, including infection with herpes zoster virus
Inflammation of tissue causes edema or swelling. When the epithelium is tightly bound to its underlying structure, as it is in the external auditory meatus (EAM) and pinna, severe pain results. Intense pain is caused by the increased tension on the epithelium. Otitis externa may not only cause pain, but can result in facial paralysis or hearing loss due to the involvement of the facial or vestibulocochlear nerves.
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