Otitis

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Otitis is a general term for inflammation in ear or ear infection, inner ear infection, middle ear infection of the ear, in both humans and other animals. When infection is present, it may be viral or bacterial.{{cite web |title=Ear Infection (middle ear) |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20351616 |website=Mayo Clinic |access-date=November 25, 2021}}{{Cite web |last= |date= |title=Otitis |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001336.htm |access-date=18 March 2023 |website=Medlineplus.gov}} When inflammation is present due to fluid build up in the middle ear and infection is not present it is considered Otitis media with effusion.{{cite web |title=Otitis media with effusion |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007010.htm |website=MedlinePlus |publisher=National Library of Medicine |access-date=November 25, 2021}} It is subdivided into the following:

• Otitis externa, external otitis, involves inflammation (either infectious or non-infectious) of the external auditory canal, sometimes extending to the pinna or tragus.{{Citation |last1=Medina-Blasini |first1=Yiraima |title=Otitis Externa |date=2022 |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556055/ |work=StatPearls |place=Treasure Island (FL) |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |pmid=32310515 |access-date=2023-01-21 |last2=Sharman |first2=Tariq}} Otitis externa can be acute or chronic. It can be fungal or bacterial. The most common aetiology of acute otitis externa is bacterial infection,{{Cite journal |last1=Schaefer |first1=Paul |last2=Baugh |first2=Reginald F. |date=2012-12-01 |title=Acute otitis externa: an update |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23198673 |journal=American Family Physician |volume=86 |issue=11 |pages=1055–1061 |issn=1532-0650 |pmid=23198673}} while chronic cases are often associated with underlying skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis.{{Cite journal |last1=Wiegand |first1=Susanne |last2=Berner |first2=Reinhard |last3=Schneider |first3=Antonius |last4=Lundershausen |first4=Ellen |last5=Dietz |first5=Andreas |date=2019-03-29 |title=Otitis Externa |journal=Deutsches Ärzteblatt International |volume=116 |issue=13 |pages=224–234 |doi=10.3238/arztebl.2019.0224 |issn=1866-0452 |pmc=6522672 |pmid=31064650}} A third form, malignant otitis externa, or necrotising otitis externa, is a potentially life-threatening, invasive infection of the external auditory canal and skull.{{Cite journal |last1=Treviño González |first1=José Luis |last2=Reyes Suárez |first2=Laura Lisset |last3=Hernández de León |first3=Jesús Eduardo |date=2021 |title=Malignant otitis externa: An updated review |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33429178 |journal=American Journal of Otolaryngology |volume=42 |issue=2 |page=102894 |doi=10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102894 |issn=1532-818X |pmid=33429178|s2cid=231585754 }} Usually associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, this form typically occurs in older people with diabetes mellitus, or immunocompromised people. Otomycosis is the fungal form of Otitis Externa that is more common in coastal regions.
• Otitis media, or middle ear infection, involves the middle ear. In otitis media, the ear is infected or clogged with fluid behind the ear drum, in the normally air-filled middle-ear space. This is the most common infection and very common in babies younger than 6 months. This condition sometimes requires a surgical procedure called myringotomy and tube insertion.
• Otitis interna, or labyrinthitis, involves the inner ear. The inner ear includes sensory organs for balance and hearing. When the inner ear is inflamed, vertigo is a common symptom. Other symptoms in adults include pain and drainage from ear or problems with hearing.{{cite web |title=Otitis |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20351616 |website=Mayo Clinic |access-date=November 25, 2021}} Symptoms in children can include excessive crying, touching at ears, drainage, and fever.

Treatment can range from increasing fluids and over-the-counter medicine to manage symptoms to antibiotics prescribed by medical providers.{{cite web |title=CDC Ear Infection Treatment |url=https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/ear-infection.html |website=CDC |access-date=November 25, 2021}}