Management and prevention of otitis externa

Welcome to our CPD module series for community pharmacy technicians. Written in conjunction with the Pharmacy Magazine CPD series, it will mirror the magazine’s programme throughout the year. The series has been designed for you to use as part of your continuing professional development. Reflective exercises have been included to help you put your learning into practice.

Aim

To cover the causes, the assessment of and the management of recent onset or acute otitis externa in adults and children. 

Objectives

After completing this module and its online counterpart, pharmacy technicians will be able to:    

• Explain the causes, assessment, and differential diagnosis of recent onset otitis externa
• Understand how the condition can be prevented 
• Discuss self care options and prevention strategies. 

Otitis externa (OE) results from diffuse inflammation of the skin and tissue of the external ear canal (external auditory meatus), which may also involve the pinna or tympanic membrane. It is usually described as acute if it has arisen in the past six weeks. Chronic otitis externa is defined as OE that has continued for three months or so.

Contributing authors: Professor Alison Blenkinsopp and Dr Martin Duerden.