Sandbox:Otitis externa risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for acute otitis externa include activities and conditions that predispose an individual to ear canal inflammation:
  • Swimming in public pools or other unclean bodies of water, heightening the chance of bacterial or fungal infection.
  • Living in a humid or tropical climate.
  • Developing dermatoses such as eczema, seborrhea, and psoriasis.
  • Loss of cerumen in the ear canal, lowering the amount of ear canal protective coating.
  • Experiencing foreign objects that can cause irritation and inflammation, such as hearing aids or ear plugs.
  • Having ear canal obstructions, such as sebaceous cysts.
  • Experiencing suppuration from other ear diseases such as otitis media
  • Undergoing prolonged treatment with topical antibiotics.
    • Raises risk of otomycosis.
  • Experiencing physical trauma in the ear canal.
  • Repeating exposure to irritants, such as soaps, shampoos, or related cosmetic chemicals.
  • Having a narrow ear canal more prone to retaining water.
• Being a female between age 65 and 74.
• For malignant necrotizing otitis externa, contributors to immunocompromise, including the following:
  • Chemotherapy
  • Diabetes mellitus