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.