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Otitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the ear, in both humans
and other animals.

It is subdivided into the following:

y Otitis externa, external otitis, or "swimmer's ear" involves the outer ear and ear
canal. In external otitis, the ear hurts when touched or pulled.
y 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 very common childhood infection sometimes requires a
surgical procedure called "myringotomy and tube insertion".
y 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.


Treatment List for Otitis externa

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Otitis externa includes the
following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change
in treatment plans.

y Ear cleaning - by the doctor

y Antibiotic ear drops
y Antifungal ear drops
y Topical corticosteroids - for itching

Drugs and Medications used to treat Otitis externa:

Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug,
OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.

Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Otitis externa include:

y Antipyrine and Benzocaine

y A/B Otic
y Allergen
y Aurodex
y Auroto
y Auralgan
y Benzocaine
y Oticaine
y Otocaine
y Boric Acid
 y Dri-Ear Otic
y Swim-ear Otic
y Neomycin. Polymyxin B and Hydrocortisone
y AntibiOtic Ear
y Cortisporin Otic
y PediOtic

Latest treatments for Otitis externa:

The following are some of the latest treatments for Otitis externa:

y Cleansing of canal
y Analgesics
y Antihistamines
y Ear wick
y Antipruritic
y Neomycin
y Polymyxin
y Hydrocortisone
y Cortisporin
y Betamethazone
y Acetic acid
y Clotrimazole
y Itraconazole
y Acyclovir
y Aluminium acetate
y Steroid cream
y Triamcinolone
y Ciprofloxacin
y Ofloxacin
y Dexamethasone

Alternative Treatments for Otitis externa

Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly

helpful for Otitis externa may include:

y Garlic extract
y Hot water bottle compress
y Heating pad
y Warm garlic oil in ear canal
y Rubbing alcohol and vinegar water drops (non-painful infection)
y Vinegar water drops (painful infection)
y Lavender oil drops
y Tea tree oil (diluted)-in outer ear
y Turmeric, goldenseal and echinacea in honey-by mouth
 y Turmeric, goldenseal and echinacea tea
y Onion juice and honey-in outer ear
y Antiseptic ear drops
y Oral pain reliever
y Keep ears dry by applying petroleum jelly with a cotton ball (remove cotton ball)
y Mullein oil ear drops
y Antioxidant supplement (e.g. beta-carotene, zinc and vitamins C and E)
y Salba seeds and salba seed oil
y Grapefruit seed extract, tea tree oil and olive oil drops

     

The first step in treating a middle ear infection is prevention. Prevention

measures include using the same precautions that are recommended to prevent the
spread of infectious diseases, such as the flu or colds. These include covering the
mouth and nose with the elbow or a tissue when you sneeze or cough and washing
hands frequently with soap. Antibacterial cleaners can also be used to clean hands and
surfaces. It is also important to avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth, which can
transmit an infectious virus or bacteria from the hands into the body.

Smoking and second-hand smoke increase the risk of developing a middle ear
infection, so do not smoke. The breastfeeding of infants provides some protection from
middle ear infections. In addition, getting vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine
prevents certain infections that commonly cause middle ear infections.

Treatment plans for middle ear infections are individualized depending on the
specific kind of middle ear infection, the presence of coexisting diseases, the age of the
patient, and other factors. Treatment generally involves a multifaceted plan that
addresses the infection and helps to minimize ear pain and the development of
complications, such as hearing loss.

Treatment of a middle ear infection may include antibiotics and pain medications.
Antibiotics may be given as oral pills and/or in ear drop form. Corticosteroids may also
be prescribed to reduce inflammation in the ear and ear pain. Some mild cases of
middle ear infections may not need antibiotic treatment and will go away on their own.

It is important to seek regular follow-up medical care during and after a middle
ear infection to re-evaluate the ear and assess the risk of developing complications of a
middle ear infection, such as hearing loss and chronic otitis media.

In some cases of a middle ear infection that do not resolve with medication, a
surgical procedure may be needed to insert tubes in the ears, remove ear fluid or
infected tissue and/or repair a damaged eardrum.
Diagnostic Tests for Middle ear infection

y Physical examination - looking in the ears.

y Pneumatic otoscope - blows air against the eardrum
y Tympanometry
y Hearing test

Treatments for Middle ear infection

y Antibiotics - may work if the infection is bacterial, but not if viral.

y Pain relief
y Myringotomy - surgery to drain fluid in the ear, only if the fluid has been present
for some time.
y Antibiotics
y External heat

Latest Treatments for Middle ear infection

y Acetaminophen
y Acetic acid solution
y Neomycin
y Ofloxacin
y Ciprofloxacin

Alternative therapies

There are claims that a variety of unproven techniques provide benefit to otitis
media, including osteopathic and chiropractic manipulation, Eardoc, dietary exclusions,
herbal supplements, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and homeopathy. The
efficacy these alternative therapies can only be evaluated with randomised controlled
trials with adequate sample sizes. None exist for otitis media: only anecdotal evidence
is available.

One small clinical trial investigated the osteopathic Galbreath technique for
improving drainage, which it found promising.

 
   

Labyrinthitis usually goes away within a few weeks. However, symptoms may
need treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection.
Medications that may reduce symptoms include the following:

y Aminoglycosides and other ototoxic medications

y Beta-blockers and other antihypertensives
y Tranquilizers, including benzodiazepines
y Antiepileptics
y Antihistamines
y Corticosteroids such as prednisone when symptoms are severe
y Medicines such as compazine to control nausea and vomiting
y Medicines to relieve dizziness such as meclizine or scopalamine
y Sedative-hypnotics such as Valium

To prevent worsening of symptoms during episodes of labyrinthitis, try the

following:

y Keep still and rest when symptoms occur.

y Gradually resume activity.
y Avoid sudden position changes.
y Do not try to read when symptoms occur.
y Avoid bright lights.

You may need help walking when symptoms occur. Avoid hazardous activities
such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and climbing until 1 week after symptoms
have disappeared.

 Additional treatment is intended to keep you comfortable until the labyrinthitis

goes away. Medicines called vestibular suppressants may be prescribed to reduce
symptoms.

y Antiemetics, such as prochlorperazine or promethazine, control severe nausea

and vomiting.
y Antihistamines reduce nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Examples include
diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).
y Scopolamine reduces vomiting. An example is Transderm-Scop, a patch that is
placed on the skin behind the ear.
y Sedatives reduce vomiting, nausea, and anxiety. These include clonazepam
(Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).

If a bacterial infection has injured your inner ear, you may continue to have
symptoms of vertigo even after the infection has healed. Over time, your body should
adjust to the confusing signals from the balance sensory systems that falsely tell your
brain to detect motion that isn't occurring. The vertigo will eventually improve or
disappear completely. This process is called compensation. Remaining as active as
possible speeds compensation. Medicines may slow compensation and should only be
taken for 1 to 2 weeks.

 Treatment of labyrinthitis is aimed at eradicating the underlying infection,

providing supportive care to the patient, draining middle ear effusions or mastoid
infections, and preventing the spread of infection.

 
  

r Administer an analgesic.

r Apply heat to relieve discomfort.

r Instill eardrops if necessary.

    

r Teach the patient or the parents how to instill drops if they're prescribed for home use.

r Explain the importance of taking prescribed antibiotics correctly.

r Explain ways to avoid vertigo.

r Instruct the patient and family about ways to avoid ear trauma.

r Explain the cause of otitis once a diagnosis has been established.