Live Life Team
Continuation of Causes part 1
Causes for different types and factors that provoke Otitis externa are given below:
Causes of localised otitis externa
Infection of hair root in the ear canal causes localised otitis externa resulting in bacteria called as staphylococcus aureus.
Causes of acute diffuse otitis externa and chronic otitis externa
Causes are similar for both the conditions of otitis externa, although in most of the cases the causes remain unknown for chronic otitis externa. Causes include:
Allergic and irritant reactions – otitis externa can be caused by an allergic or irritant reaction to something that comes into contact with your ears, such as ear medication, ear plugs, or shampoo. If you wear a hearing aid, you may find that it makes the inside of your ear sweaty and, in some cases, this can cause otitis externa.
Bacterial infection – the most common reason for developing acute otitis externa. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseusomonas aeruginosa are the bacteria causing infection in acute otitis externa or chronic otitis externa respectively. These are low grade chronic infection often hard to diagnose.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis – The naturally greasy areas like sides of the nose, forehead and scalp get inflamed and irritated, this factor contributes in developing otitis externa.
Middle ear infection – In case you have middle ear infection, ear must be producing some discharge for some time. This discharge can cause otitis externa in few cases.
Fungal infection – Fungus species like candida albicans and aspergillus causes otitis externa. If Antibacterial ear drops are used for long time to heal other infection, you have chances which led to fungal infection that causes otitis externa.
Factors that can provoke otitis externa
Below mentioned factor do not directly cause otitis externa yet it contributes by provoking it.
Ear damage – ear damage can be caused by excessively or incorrectly wearing ear phones or ear plugs and hearing aids. Damage can also be caused by inserting cotton buds, ear syringes, excessive cleaning and scratching as the ear canal is very delicate.
Excessive moisture – you can be prone to get otitis externa in case liquid enters in the ear canal. Therefore, humid environments, sweating and swimming should be avoided.
Chemicals – use products near or in the ears containing chemicals like earwax softeners, hair dyes and hair sprays can increase chances of developing otitis externa.
Underlying skin conditions – acne, eczema and psoriasis are few underlying conditions of skin that can increase your risk factor of developing otitis externa.
