ear, nose, and throat disorders
Ear Canal Infection (Swimmer's Ear)
Introduction
Bacteria and sometimes fungi can cause acute infection of the skin of the ear canal. Ear canal infection is caused by bacteria or, less commonly, fungi. Typical symptoms are pain and discharge. A doctor looks in the ear with an otoscope for redness, swelling, and pus. Debris removal, antibiotic ear drops, keeping water and cotton swabs out of the ear, and pain relievers are the most common forms of treatment. Infection may involve the entire ear canal, as in generalized or acute external otitis, or just one small area, as when pus accumulates in a boil (furuncle) or pimple. Malignant External Otitis is a rare, very severe external ear infection that has spread to the temporal bone of the skull, causing a bone infection ( 