Symptoms Otitis

Definition

Otitis is an inflammatory process, usually of an infectious nature, which affects the ear. It is called otitis externa when it affects the external auditory canal, with or without involvement of the tympanic membrane, of myringitis when it involves only the tympanic membrane, and of otitis media and internal if it involves, respectively, the middle ear or the inner ear. The characteristic symptom of otitis is otalgia, or earache, which can be more or less intense and accompanied by symptoms that depend on the area of the ear affected by the inflammatory process.

Otitis externa, also known as "otitis of the swimmer" is characterized by the appearance of pain when the ear is touched or pulled; often, the etiological agent is a microorganism, for example bacteria or fungi present in swimming pools and in the sea, which proliferate more easily in a humid environment. In otitis media, on the other hand, the aetiology is always infectious, so it is often accompanied by the discharge of purulent material from the external ear canal, spontaneous ear pain (aggravated by acupressure) and - typically in acute otitis - to non-specific symptoms such as rhinorrhea, stuffy nose, sore throat, fever or low-grade fever, cough. The presence of pus, which in extreme cases can pierce the eardrum compromising the hearing ability, determines symptoms such as hearing reduction (hypoacusis), perception of annoying buzzing (tinnitus) and itching in the ear. In internal otitis, known as labyrinthitis, the involvement of the strictures involved in the capacity for balance and hearing determines the onset of vertigo and loss of balance, with nausea and vomiting.

Most common symptoms and signs *

Tinnitus
Tinnitus
ageusia
Bacteremia
Febrile convulsions
Jaw pain
Pain associated with chewing
Facial pain
Temperature
Swelling around the ear
Hearing loss
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat
Nausea
Plugged ears
Otalgia
Otorrhoea
Loss of balance
Cold
rhinorrhoea
Blood from the ear
Dizziness
He retched

Further indications

In pediatric age, otitis can be associated - in addition to the symptoms already listed - with increased irritability, crying spells, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms of otitis, which should not be underestimated to avoid dangerous complications, usually resolve spontaneously; to promote healing, the doctor can still suggest the use of anesthetic drops (lidocaine, benzocaine, antipyrine), antibiotics (in case of bacterial etiology) and NSAIDs (in case of high fever and intense pain).