With the Ramadan Feast, the sea season started for many people. External ear canal infections, which are most common during this period, cause pain in the ear. Experts recommend using earplugs and swim caps while swimming, and point out that the external auditory canal should not be scratched with cotton swabs or other objects.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital ENT Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak pointed out that external ear canal infections are frequently experienced in the summer months and can be prevented with some precautions.
The barrier that protects the ear: "Cerumen"
Stating that the external auditory canal (EAC) is about 2.5 cm long in adults, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak said, "The outer 1/3 part is cartilage and the inner 2/3 part is bone. The skin of the cartilage section contains hairs and hair sacs, sebaceous and glands. The secretion of the glands and shed epithelial cells combine to form a protective secretion called "cerumen". The cerumen has a protective function in the external auditory canal, it forms a protective barrier against infection with the substances it contains."
Attention to the ears while swimming! Ear cleaning can damage the ear
Stating that the epithelial cells shed from the eardrum and external auditory canal migrate from the inside out and accumulate in the cartilage canal and are excreted together with the serum, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak said that personal cleaning, especially with ear sticks, threatens ear health. Topak said:
"In some people, due to the dense consistency of the serum secretion or anatomical changes in the external auditory canal (dky), serum accumulation and plugs (buşon) may occur in the canal. Apart from this; cotton swabs or similar materials inserted into the external auditory canal for personal cleaning cannot clean this accumulation, on the contrary, it may cause the serum to be pushed towards the eardrum against the normal migration direction and cause blockage of the external auditory canal, so nothing should be inserted into the external auditory canal."
Swimmers are at risk
Stating that one of the common problems in the summer months is common external ear canal infections, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak said, "The majority of cases are seen in warm and humid environments in the summer season. Traumas caused by cotton swabs, foreign objects and scratching, headphones, swimming or frequent bathing and showering are among the factors that increase the tendency. Swimmers are prone to external auditory canal infections due to loss of the protective cerumen layer of the external auditory canal due to frequent contact with water. The combination of several of these factors increases the risk even more."
Itching in the mild stage and pain in the moderate stage
Stating that external auditory canal infection mostly causes complaints of pain, fullness, itching and hearing loss, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak said, "In the mild stage, itching is at the forefront while the pain is not very severe. In the middle stage, there is an increase in pain. In the severe stage, the infection can spread beyond the external auditory canal to the auricle, face and behind the ear."
Stating that young children may not be able to fully explain their complaints, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak warned, "It is necessary to pay attention if they cry when they touch their ears, pull their ears, sometimes fever, discharge in the external ear canal, cannot sleep comfortably, and cry more than normal."
What should be done for protection?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak made the following recommendations to protect against external ear canal infection:
"Keeping the external auditory canal dry, using ear plugs and swim caps while swimming, not scratching the external auditory canal with cotton swabs or other objects, not trying to clean the serum in the external auditory canal on our own, drying the external auditory canal with a towel after swimming."
Stating that the treatment of serum plugs is performed by aspiration or lavage by the physician, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Topak said, "It may be necessary to soften very hard and dry plugs with glycerin for a few days. Treatment of external auditory canal infections is performed by cleaning the external auditory canal, antibiotic ear drops, antibiotic and steroid tampons placed in the external auditory canal when necessary, systemic antibiotics, antimycotic drops if there is fungal infection. If you have complaints suggestive of a serum plug or external auditory canal infection, you should consult an ENT physician."