Otitis externa is a common infection of the skin that lines the external ear canal. It may involve the entire ear canal (which is about 2.5 cm long) or it may affect just one small portion. It is associated with swelling, which in severe cases can cause extreme narrowing of the ear canal. Otitis externa is also known as swimmer's ear or tropical ear.
Otitis simply means an inflammation, or swelling of the ear. Externa refers to the outside, or external part of the ear. Acute is used to describe symptoms that are of an intense nature and that usually last a short time. Bacterial means an overgrowth of the bacteria (germs) that are the cause of the inflammation. So, acute bacterial otitis externa refers to an unexpected bacterial infection of the outer ear, resulting in painful inflammation of the skin that lines the ear canal.
Otitis Externa
Swimmer's Ear and More Very nice page that lists the causes, symptoms, and how to prevent getting Swimmer's Ear. It also mentions why ears itch and what to do if you get a bug or foreign object in the ear canal.
Swimmer's Ear ....Pool Solutions Very nice site that lists general information and has several links that may be of interest on the subject.
Otitis...External and Internal Nice site that lists the definition, causes, prevention, symptoms, treatment, prognosis, and several other areas of interest.
Otitis Media and Externa Gives basic information about both types of infection. Has a nice picture to help in the understanding the information and where the differences are.
