Treatment of External Otitis

External otitis can usually be successfully treated with antibiotic and steroid ear drops, unless there are complicating factors like diabetes or the infection spreading outside the ear. Painkillers should be used for three days until the antibiotics take effect.

External otitis is often perceived as a common and simple disease. This can be misleading. Complications like fungal infections, spread of the infection to the skull base or face, or tumors in the external auditory canal should be investigated by an ENT specialist if symptoms do not improve or recur.