Symptoms of otitis externa

Otitis externa can cause a number of different symptoms affecting the ear and the surrounding area.

Symptoms can include:

• ear pain
• Pruritus and irritation in and around your ear canal
• redness and swelling of your outer ear and ear canal
• a feeling of pressure and fullness inside your ear
• scaly skin in and around your ear canal, which may peel off
• discharge from your ear, which can be either thin and watery or thick and pus-like
• tenderness when you move your ear or jaw
• swollen and sore glands in your throat
• some hearing loss

Otitis externa sometimesoccurs ifa hair follicle inside the ear becomes infected by bacteria and develops into a spot (pimple) or boil .

If this happens, you may be able to see thepimple or boil in a mirror. However, don't attempt to squeezeany pimples or boils in your ear, asthis could lead to the infection spreading elsewhere.

Long-term symptoms

In some cases,the symptoms of otitis externa can persist for several months, or sometimes years. This is known as chronic otitis externa.

Symptomsofchronic otitis externa can include:

• a constant itch in and around your ear canal
• discomfort and pain in your earthat becomes worse when you move it this is usually much milder than inshort-term otitis externa
• a thin, watery discharge from your ear
• a lack of earwax
• a build-up of thick, dry skin in your ear canal, known as stenosis, which can narrow your ear canal and affect your hearing

Discharge

Discharge is when a liquid such as pus oozes from a part of your body.

Swelling

Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.