Cotton-tip applicators as a leading cause of otitis externa

Nussinovitch, Moshe; Rimon, Ayelet; Volovitz, Benjamin; Raveh, Eyal; Prais, Dario; Amir, Jacob

doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2003.11.014

Cited by 77 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(9 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…2,8 Otitis externa can likewise be caused by overzealous use of cotton buds. 9 The survey reported here is best regarded as qualitative. The response rate was too low for quantitative validity, and we cannot tell whether the behaviour of the ENT patients typified that of the wider population-or whether, indeed, some of them had cotton-bud-induced disorders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use and abuse of cotton buds

Hobson

Lavy

2005

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYEar injuries caused by cotton buds are commonly seen in ear, nose and throat (ENT) practice. We asked 1000 patients attending an ENT referral clinic whether they used cotton buds to clean the ear canal. Of the 325 who responded, 171 said they did. The frequency of use was no higher in those with ear complaints than in those with nose and other complaints. 15-20% of respondents disagreed with the statements that cotton buds can cause infections, wax impaction or perforations. On the evidence of this survey, manufacturers' warnings need to be fortified.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use and abuse of cotton buds

Hobson

Lavy

2005

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…5,11 Approximately 50% of bacterial cases involve Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed in incidence by Staphylococcus aureus, and then various aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. 3,6,12,13 The incidence of fungal infection is only 10%.…”

Section: Pathophysiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5,11,20 Two per cent acetic acid, sometimes diluted in half by 90-95% alcohol, is effective for prophylaxis against acute OE and, with or without the addition of a steroid, for the treatment of mild disease. The caveat is that these solutions can cause stinging and irritation if applied to highly inflamed skin.…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Otitis externa: review and clinical update

Osguthorpe

2011

South African Family Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Otitis externa can take an acute or a chronic form, with the acute form affecting four in 1 000 persons annually and the chronic form affecting 3-5% of the population. Acute disease commonly results from bacterial (90% of cases) or fungal (10% of cases) overgrowth in an ear canal subjected to excess moisture, or to local trauma. Chronic disease often is part of a more generalised dermatologic or allergic problem. Symptoms of early acute and most chronic disease include pruritus and local discomfort. If left untreated, acute disease can be followed by canal oedema, discharge, and pain, and eventually by extra-canal manifestations. Topical application of an acidifying solution is usually adequate in treating early disease. An antimicrobial containing ototopical is the preferred treatment for later-stage acute disease, and oral antibiotic therapy is reserved for advanced disease or those who are immunocompromised. Preventative measures reduce recurrences, and typically involve minimising ear canal moisture, trauma, or exposure to materials that incite local irritation or contact dermatitis.

show abstract

“…1 Otitis media is an inflammatory disease of the mucosal lining of the middle ear, which includes a variety of medical conditions with different signs and symptoms. 2,3 Otitis media is most commonly caused by the buildup of fluid behind the ear drum, as a result of a blockage to the Eustachian tube.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%