Attempting to clean the canal with cotton swabs interrupts this self-cleaning mechanism and can push debris toward the eardrum, where it accumulates. Accumulated debris and earwax tend to trap water that gets into the ear canal during a shower or while swimming. The resulting wet, softened skin in the ear canal is more easily infected by bacteria or fungi. Symptoms Symptoms of generalized external otitis are itching, pain, and a malodorous discharge. If the ear canal swells or fills with pus and debris, hearing is impaired.
Boils cause severe pain.
When they rupture, a small amount of blood and pus may leak from the ear. To treat generalized external otitis, a doctor first removes the infected debris from the canal with suction or dry cotton wipes. After the ear canal is cleared, hearing frequently returns to normal. Usually, a person is given antibiotic ear drops to instill in the ear several times a day for up to a week. Some ear drops also contain a corticosteroid to reduce swelling.