These patients may require specialty consultation and hospitalization. Acute otitis externa may spread to the pinna, resulting in a chondritis, particularly in patients with newly pierced ears. Diabetic ketoacidosis is often present in diabetics with this condition. Most patients with external otitis improve greatly within 48-72 hours and are well in 1 week to 10 days. Failure to improve within several days should call the diagnosis into question and prompt the physician to reevaluate the patient.
Surgical intervention is required occasionally for chronic otitis externa.
Resolution of eczematous otitis externa occurs with control of the primary skin condition. Avoidance of cotton-tipped swabs to avoid ear canal trauma should be discussed with patients. Improper use of cotton tipped applicator sticks simply packs cerumen into the canal and can cause trauma to the tympanic membrane. The patient with a FB will not improve until it is removed. Otitis externa with ear wick in place.