While the summer months become extremely enjoyable with the sun, pool, and sun, health problems can spoil these beautiful days. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan pointed out that humidity, hot air, and pool may cause an increase in external ear canal eczema, especially in people with allergic reactions.
Outer ear canal inflammation is the most widespread problem among those who apply to the emergency department for otolaryngology. Although it varies according to the season, this problem, which is frequently seen between 3-10 percent, increases especially in the summer months. The most important reason for this is contact with water, in a warm and humid environment. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan emphasized that patients with allergic bodies or eczema should protect their ears, especially from pool waters in the summer. Because pathogens such as bacteria or fungi may be the causative agent in external ear canal inflammation, and sometimes there may be a reactionary event of the body such as eczema.
Can Block Different Parts of the Ear
This problem, manifested by itching in the ears, can hold different points such as the ear skin, back, and ear canal. It is caused by different reasons such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, neurodermatitis, and infantile eczema under external ear canal inflammation due to eczema, which increases in the summer months. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doğan draws attention to the need to investigate the dermatological diseases that may accompany patients and gives the following information:
"The causes of ear eczema also differ depending on the type. Allergic eczema is caused by contact with allergic hair products, personal care products such as make-up, or accessories such as earrings and headphones. Seborrheic eczema is more common in fatty areas of the body, such as the scalp. It is also seen behind the ear. "Although it is not known exactly why this occurs, it is thought to be a major influence on the immune system."
Itching the Key Symptom
Stating that itching is the most important complaint caused by ear eczema in patients, Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan said, "Redness, swelling, dandruff, crusting, wetness and discharge, cracks in the outer ear canal scoop, and urticaria may occur during the examination. However, people who have not encountered this problem before may not think that their experiences are due to eczema. However, these complaints, which are ignored, can disturb the person during the day. And if left untreated, it can cause external ear canal inflammation."
Earplugs Should Be Used When Swimming in the Pool
After the diagnosis of ear eczema, treatment varies according to the underlying cause. However, Yeditepe University Hospital Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan, who explained that prevention is the most important step in addition to treatment, gave the following information: "It is necessary to move away from the allergens that are held responsible in patients with atopic dermatitis. However, to get rid of itching, preparations with corticosteroids and drugs with a drying effect are recommended. More severe forms of antihistamine drugs are used. It is also extremely important for patients with allergic reactions or eczema to protect their ears with stoppers, especially from pool water."
Hot and Humid Weather Leads to Infection
External ear canal inflammation occurs due to infection of the auricle and external ear canal. However, the disease is important because it can occur in different courses from mild infection to life-threatening dimensions. Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist at Yeditepe University Hospitals, Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan, who explained that the protective barriers of the external auditory canal should be disrupted in order to cause inflammation of the external auditory canal in a healthy person, said, "Normally, the external auditory canal has a self-cleaning feature. However, factors that prepare the ground, such as frequent cleaning with earwax, frequent contact with water, and a humid and warm environment, facilitate the formation of external ear canal inflammation."
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