Most case of otitis externa are caused by inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal and will cause the following symptoms:
- ear pain
- a feeling of pressure and fullness inside your ear
- redness and swelling of your outer ear and ear canal, which can be very painful
- scaly skin in and around your ear canal, which may peel off
- discharge from your ear, which can be either thin and watery or pus-like
- itching and irritation in and around your ear canal
- tenderness when you move your ear or jaw
- swollen and sore glands (lymph nodes) in your throat
- some hearing loss
Otitis externa can develop as the result of a hair follicle becoming infected by bacteria – this then grows into a spot (pimple) or occasionally a boil. This is known as localised otitis externa.
You may be able to see the pimple or boil by twisting your ear up towards a mirror: it will often have yellow or white pus at its centre. (Do not attempt to squeeze the pimple or boil as this could lead to infection spreading elsewhere.)
Other symptoms include:
- severe ear pain, particularly when you move your ear
- occasional hearing loss, which can occur if the pimple or boil is obstructing your ear canal
- tender and painful glands behind your ears
Long-term (chronic otitis externa)
In some cases, for reasons that are not always clear, the symptoms of otitis externa can persist for several months and in some cases, years.
This is known as chronic otitis externa, which has a different pattern of symptoms, including:
- a constant itch in and around your ear canal, which is often the main symptom
- discomfort and pain in your ear which becomes worse when you move it – the pain is usually much milder compared to other types of otitis externa
- a thin and watery discharge that comes from your ear
- a lack of ear wax
- a build-up of thick, dry skin in your ear canal, known as stenosis, which can narrow your ear canal and affect your hearing
