Ear drops Flashcards
When are ear drops used?
Anti-inflammatory
Antibiotics
Wax solvents
Drowning insects
What can cause otitis externa?
Infection - bacterial or fungal
Eczematous
What bacteria cause otitis externa?
Pseudomonas
Proteus
Staph. aureus
What antibiotics are used to treat otitis externa?
Neomycin
Gentamicin
Polymyxin B
Framycetin
What fungi cause otitis externa?
Aspergillus niger
Candida albicans
What antifungals are used to treat fungi otitis externa?
Clotrimazole
Nystatin
How is eczematous otitis externa treated?
Steroid without antibiotics as antibiotics such as neomycin and gentamicin can cause local sensitivity
What general patient care is advised in otitis externa?
Keep water out of the ear
Avoid trauma with cotton buds
Keep hearing aids out
Use drops
When will systemic antibiotics be required in otitis externa?
Cellulitis in the pinna
Parotid region cellulitis
Malignant otitis externa
What ear drops act as wax solvents?
Sodium bicarbonate
Olive oil
Almond oil
How should ear drops be given?
Ear upwards
Straighten ear canal by pulling the pinna upwards and backwards
Instil drops
Press tragus over the introitus of the ear canal to encourage the drops to pass down the canal
What are side effects to ear drops?
Dizziness
Local sensitivity
Ototoxicity
What stimulates the lateral semicircular canal?
Temperature difference - cold drops may cause dizziness