TL;DR:
- Severe/Recurrent Otitis: Chronic condition lasting over 3 months with ear discharge (mucous/mucopurulent/purulent), potential eardrum perforation, hearing impairment, and sometimes allergic rhinitis.
- Types of Chronic Otitis:
- Simple Chronic Otitis: Mild, involves eardrum defects; treated with topical methods or surgery.
- Chronic Granulomatous Inflammation: Bacterial infection with granulomas, ear polyps, and bone destruction; requires surgery.
- Pearlakitis: Cholesterol and bacterial mass forms "pearls," causing pain, tinnitus, and dizziness; treated through surgical excision.
- Treatment: Diagnosis involves medical history and ruling out other conditions. Multidirectional approaches include pain reduction, antibiotics, eardrum repair (myringoplasty), ear cleaning, or surgery in severe cases.
- Prevention: Quit smoking, maintain hygiene, improve ear trumpet function, and use ventilation drains when necessary.
Severe otitis always manifests itself through a constant or intermittent mucous, mucopurulent or purulent discharge from the ear. Sometimes there is also perforation of the eardrum and hearing impairment. The ailment occurs when the ear inflammation lasts for more than three months, but it can take different forms. So how do you recognize and treat recurrent otitis?
Recurrent otitis – characteristics.
Recurrent otitis is called an ailment that persists for at least three months. This condition can occur when a defect persists in the eardrum, which causes mucopurulent ear leakage and hearing damage, and in some cases also causes allergic rhinitis. A patient who suffers from recurrent otitis feels pain and congested ears. In a child, on the other hand, long-lasting chronic otitis manifests as a slight hearing impairment that makes him unresponsive to calling or questions. Unfortunately, few people realize that recurrent otitis can seriously threaten the life of the patient. Chronic otitis can manifest itself in different ways, which is why it is systematized into two groups. The first group includes complaints that do not pose a threat due to complications. In this case, ear leakage occurs in mucous or mucopurulent form, and the biggest changes happen in the eardrum. Preinflammation refers to a strained area of the membrane, but there is no danger of a nodule forming. The second group of ailments refers to inflammation of the ear, which requires the intervention of a surgeon. The leakage from the ear is purulent in nature, and the lesions are related to the eardrum cavity of the appendicular chamber and other fragments of the temporal bone. Preinflammation is limited to the upper part of the flaccid tympanic membrane, in addition, signs of bone destruction and perloma formation can be seen.
Types of chronic otitis.
**Recurrent otitis can be divided into three types. The first is simple chronic otitis, which is the mildest of all possible. In this case, there are defects in the eardrum and a mucopurulent discharge that can cause hearing damage. Treatment is topical and consists of eliminating the ear leakage and removing the source of infection in the throat and nose. To do this, ear drainage and cleansing are performed. In addition, preparations can be used that act topically on the side of the ear canal. In some cases, however, surgery is the only solution. Chronic granulomatous inflammation also creates a defect in the eardrum, but it leads to bacterial infection and increased leakage of mucopurulent material from the ear. Hearing damage can also occur here. In addition, granulomatous inflammation is manifested by granulomatous changes in the lining of the middle ear, as well as ear polyps and bony destruction of the inner ear structure. In this case, however, local treatment cannot be used, because of the proliferation of granulomatous lesions that prevent the free drainage of infected secretions. Such inflammation is therefore treated surgically, but the risk of surgery is quite high. **Pearlakitis**, is otherwise known as pearl in the ear. This is when pearls form in the ear from cholesterol masses, exfoliated ear epithelium, as well as bacteria and dried secretions. Perlaki resemble a pearl that is a major complication, which, as it grows, poses an increasing threat to the surrounding tissues, including the nerves or ossicles. The patient, as a result of the disease, experiences ear pain, tinnitus and dizziness. Treatment involves excision of all diseased tissue.
Treatment of recurrent otitis.
To properly treat recurrent otitis, it is necessary to accurately identify the type of disease. To do this, the doctor takes a medical history of the patient, asks about the symptoms, their frequency, location and severity, characteristics and location of the pain. In addition, he rules out other possible conditions. The treatment of acute otitis media should be multidirectional and lead to the reduction of pain, lowering of body temperature, elimination of the pathogen, decongestion of the ear trumpet and drainage of the tympanic cavity. If a nodule has formed in the ear, it is necessary to perform a myringoplasty, which involves closing the hole in the mucosa and tympanic membrane. In addition, the ear canal must be cleaned of exfoliated epithelium. In addition, the patient must take special antibiotic drops, which are applied directly to the ear. Peracusitis, on the other hand, requires surgical treatment. Treatment of complications should only take place in the hospital.
The occurrence of otitis can also be effectively prevented. Preventive measures include quitting smoking and improving hygiene and housing conditions. It is also necessary to perform certain treatments to improve the patency and function of the ear trumpet. In cases of recurrent otitis media and inability to maintain sufficient patency of the auditory trumpet, ventilation drainage of the tympanic cavity is used, which involves implanting ventilation drains in the tympanic membrane.
Conclusion
Recurrent otitis is more than an earache—it can impact hearing and overall health. Understanding its causes, types, and treatment, from simple otitis to severe pearlakitis, is key to recovery. Early action, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate treatment, whether topical or surgical, help prevent lasting damage. Maintaining ear health through proper hygiene and lifestyle choices offers the best defense. If symptoms persist, consult a specialist immediately. Addressing otitis promptly ensures better outcomes and avoids serious complications like hearing loss or nerve damage. Protect your ears—they do more than you realize.
