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Embarrassing Bodies, 2:05am Tuesday 7th February 2012 on Channel 4. Catch up for free on 4oD »

Conditions

Otitis Externa

Otitis Externa

Otitis externa is an infection of ear canal that is often referred to as swimmers ear. It can be caused by an infection or an allergic reaction within the outer ear. A mild form of the condition can result in a single spot occurring that causes localised pain, but which disappears when the spot bursts. More serious cases involve the spread of the condition to the outer ear and scaly skin being produced. There is also the possibility that pus and other discharge can occur as well. Localised cases will normally heal of their own accord, but if it is acute and continues then antibiotics and professional cleaning of the ear will often be prescribed.

If you are worried that your child may be suffering from an ear infection or glue ear and grommets, read our guides especially for parents on Embarrassing Bodies: Kids website.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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Hi i have fluid behind my ear drum i have been given countless nasal sprays and nothing seems to have worked. I have had this since i was very young. I remember telling my mum and she said it was because i was tired trying to make me go to bed. My doctor also said to hold my nose and blow to try and shift the fluid and it hasn't worked. Is there anything i can do my self. I'm not aware of ever having and ear infection or anything it gets worse when i have a cold. Its effecting my sleep as i cant sleep on my right side because of the fluttering sound if there's any noise. Please help! Thanks :)





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Hi i have fluid behind my ear drum i have been given countless nasal sprays and nothing seems to have worked. I have had this since i was very young. I remember telling my mum and she said it was because i was tired trying to make me go to bed. My doctor also said to hold my nose and blow to try and shift the fluid and it hasn't worked. Is there anything i can do my self. I'm not aware of ever having and ear infection or anything it gets worse when i have a cold. Its effecting my sleep as i cant sleep on my right side because of the fluttering sound if there's any noise. Please help! Thanks :)





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My partner has had flaking of both ear canals for years .He gets crackling in the ear and a loss of hearing. The flakes are so big that they fall out of his ears and looks like corn flakes. He has been to many GPswith no luck after using ear drops etc. Please could you diagnose this as it causes much discomfort to him. Thank you. Love your programme. JMW





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Hello im a big fan of your show and i do in fact have a problem myself. My name is Mollie and i have had reoccuring ear infections since i was 2, i have been to doctors and have been sugested grommets and did not like the sound of them and the doctor said that there was 25% chance it would help my case, and i would have a 90% chance of being partically deaf in my left ear, but at times both my ears hurt. people have suggested ear drops that have helped but not kept it away for too long. I have been on nurofen because i dont like medicen at all. If you can give me a answer that would be great, because i am traviling on a plane soon and dont like the idea of flyling with that sort of pain. Thanks





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I keep getting a fluttering sound in my right ear, it sounds like a moth is in there. I had a hearing test about 18 months ago after having a bout of this fluttering but my hearing was fine. I get the fluttering every couple of months and it lasts for a couple of days. Also, not sure if it connected but last week I had 2 episodes shortly after each other of visual disturbance - like I was looking at things that shimmer on a hot day (although I wasn't near a heat source at the time), the episodes made me feel like I had tension in my head, but the feeling past after about 5 minutes.





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i have the same type of thing and i went to the doctors about it and as they looked at it my ear drum burst you may want to see if that is what happend to you.

I have been suffering with fluid behind the ear drum for two years now and it seems to flare up more frequently and lasts longer each time. My Doctor has suggested nasal sprays but it really gets me down as it means i'm partially deaf when it flares up and causes lots of headaches, any suggestions?





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I am 17 and i have been having a few problems with my ears i have been gettin bad neck ache, headaches, dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, breathing difficulties and aching muscles in my arms and legs, tiredness and sore ears and it feels like liquid is coming out of my ears but i do not have a fever i do not know what is causing this. Is this an ear infection or is it something worse? xx





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hey, i'm 16. I was 12 when i first got my ear infection ( swelling of the ear cannal, redness, discharge and scaley skin on the outside.) Since then, i get a infection twice a year (- redness, extremely hot and discharge.) And even during the time i don't have the infections, my left ear just discharges some sort of colourless liquid and the majority of the time i can hear liquid moving about when ever i move. I honestly have no idea what causes it or why it does it.





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Hi im 37 male,iv had a problem with my right ear for about 2yrs,i first noticed when i used to get a lot of irritation like itching,also the actual inner ear hole feels like it got a bit swelling and clear white discharge coming from the ear, didnt think much of it at the start until it started to effect my work.I worked in catering and most of the times i could not hear very well when taking orders i had ask to repeat the order,which wasnt good in a busy environment.So finally i went to the doctors when i had enough,but wasnt very keen because doctors make u wait half an hour and take a few minutes and send you away.For a good 6 to 8 months i was sent backwards and forwards,i was told by the doctor to see my dentist,and vice versa.Until i finally really got so fustrated that my doctor sent me to a specialist,going to there i was given botox,was told it will take 3 month to improve and that hasnt helped aswell.Afterwards i gave up on my own doctors because everytime i mentioned ear they really started to make excuses.So i tried my local walk in centre and A&E i was told by them that i had quite alot of redness in the inner ear,it was infected so i was given OTIMIZE spray,a 7 day course.I tried that and that didnt help,then i had syringing done by my nurse she said i hadnt got alot of wax in ears.After having that done i've tried olive oil but seem to have the same problem.My family sometimes make fun because im always playing with that ear.It started to effect me because i can always feel the irritation and clear white discharge and i want this to go away because its gone on for too long,i've always watched your show and think its the best thing to happen on T.V because your very helpful and open with your diagnosis.So can you PLEASE HELP me so i can get rid of my problem.Thank You.





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i had same problen i so fedup now

Hi, My daughter has suffered with Otitis Media (glue ear) since she was 3, she's had endless operations and grommets, the last grommet was put in nearly 2 weeks ago, she knows it's not worked, is there anything that can be done. She is in dreadful pain, has 2 small children and when it flares up she finds it very difficult to cope. She is no 29 so has suffered for 26 years. Thankyou.





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Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Otitis externa is a condition that affects more than 1% of the population in the UK every year. It causes inflammation (swelling) of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and the ear drum (known as the tympanic membrane). Anyone can get otitis externa, but it is slightly more common in women than in men. Read More »

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