Otitis externa (OE) is an inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal (EAC), the auricle, or both. There are a few types of OE; acute diffuse OE, acute localized OE, chronic OE, eczematous OE, necrotizing (malignant) OE an Infection that extends into the deeper tissues adjacent to the EAC and Otomycosis an Infection of the ear canal from a fungal species. The acute OE is most common in swimmers while the acute localized OE is associated with infection of a hair follicle. The chronic OE is the same as acute diffuse OE but longer. Causes that contribute to the to the development OE are absence of cerumen, high humidity, retained water in ear canal, increased temperature and local trauma such as the use of cotton swabs or hearing
