From the Research
Treatment Suggestions
The patient's symptoms of unilateral right external ear swelling without drainage, redness, pain, warmth, or hearing loss can be considered for the following treatment suggestions:
- Topical antibiotic and steroid preparations may be used to treat the condition, as they have been found to be effective in treating otitis externa 1, 2, 3.
- Analgesics may not be necessary in this case, as the patient does not report any pain 2.
- Oral antibiotics are rarely needed, unless there is evidence of cellulitis or other underlying conditions such as immunocompromise or diabetes mellitus 1, 2, 3.
- Corticosteroids may be used to reduce swelling and inflammation, as seen in the treatment of relapsing polychondritis 4.
Considerations
It is essential to note that the patient's symptoms do not align with the typical presentation of otitis externa, which usually includes pain, redness, and swelling of the canal 2, 5.
- The patient's condition may be related to an underlying skin disease or other conditions, such as relapsing polychondritis, which requires a different treatment approach 4.
- A thorough examination and diagnosis are necessary to determine the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms and to initiate targeted treatment 3.