Ear Problems

Question 1

What is Otitis Media

Answer 1

• throbbing ear pain
• Mucopurulent dischard (mucus liquid)
• pain in mastroid area (back of skull)

Question 2

What ages are otitis media common with and with what symptoms

Answer 2

• common in children
• usually seen with cold and flu symptoms
• self limiting (3 days)

Question 3

What is otitis externa

Answer 3

• skin inflammation of ear canal = pain
• itchy

Question 4

What can ear wax build up can cause

Answer 4

• temporary deafness
• ear discomfort
• blocked ear

Question 5

Referral for otitis media

Answer 5

• Pain does not resolve with analgesics
• Systemic symptoms
• No improvement >72 hours
• High risk of serious complication e.g. immunosuppression
• Mastoiditis present
• Children under 2 years with bilateral otitis media

Question 6

Referral for otitis externa

Answer 6

• Deafness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Vertigo
• Blocked ears
• Discharge (infected?)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bleeding
• Children under 12 years

Question 7

Referral for ear wax build up

Answer 7

• Usual discharge from ear canal
• Persistent pain within the ear
• Tinnitus
• OTC failure -can refer for syringing

Question 8

Otitis media OTC treatment

Answer 8

• simple analgesia (self limiting)

Question 9

Otitis externa OTC treatment

Answer 9

• EarCalm spray (12+)
• treats mild superficial infections
• refer if treatment failure in 2 days

Question 10

Ear wax build up OTC treatment

Answer 10

Cerumolytics (liquid solutions to soften ear wax)

Question 11

What are the 4 types of Cerumolytics

Answer 11

• Water-based ear drops
• Oil-based ear drops
• Peroxide ear drops
• Surfactant ear drops

Question 12

Example of water- based ear drops

Answer 12

• Sodium bicarbonate
  (Care)

Question 13

Example of Oil-based ear drops

Answer 13

• Olive Oil
  (Earol)
• Arachis Oil
  (Cerumol)

Question 14

Example of Peroxide ear drops

Answer 14

• Hydroxide Peroxide
  (Otex)

Question 15

Example of Surfactant ear drops

Answer 15

• Docusate
  (Waxol)

Question 16

Advice for Otitis media

Answer 16

• self limiting in 3 days
• treat pain symptoms

Question 17

Advice for otitis externa

Answer 17

• can be caused by allergy/irritation of ear canal
• wear ear plugs when swimming
• avoid shampoo in ears

Question 18

Ear wax build up advice

Answer 18

• The ear is self cleaning
• clean with cotton buds as this can cause wax impaction