Otitis Externa

HISTORY:

‍RightLeftBilateral ear ‍painitching for ‍ ‍hoursdays

‍pain

‍itching in the ear

‍ear discharge

‍hearing loss

‍tinnitus

‍swelling of the ear

‍redness of the ear

‍fever, up to ‍°, over ‍ ‍hoursdays

‍chills

Worsening factors: ‍none

Treatments tried: ‍none, ‍effectiveineffective



EXAM:

General appearance: ‍well-appearing

Vital signs: ‍normal, BP ‍, HR ‍, RR ‍, SpO2 ‍ %, Temp ‍°

Head: ‍normocephalicatraumaticnormal scalprashlesion

Ears: -R: ‍normal, -L: ‍normal

Nose: ‍normal

Throat: ‍normalrednessexudate

Neck: ‍normallymphadenopathy



ASSESSMENT:

‍Otitis Externa ‍likelysuspectedpossible

DDx: ‍



PLAN:

- Ear swab for culture

- ‍Topical antibiotics

- ‍Topical corticosteroids

- ‍Analgesics

- Avoid water exposure to the ear

- Avoid use of ear plugs or hearing aids until symptoms resolve

- Referral to otolaryngologist

- Follow-up in ‍ ‍daysweeks

- Return if symptoms worsen or if new symptoms develop such as fever, dizziness, or discharge from the ear