Otitis externa is an infection or inflammation of the ear canal between the eardrum and the outer ear. It can be triggered by exposure to dirty water or by mechanical damage due to overzealous cleaning. The infectious agent can be either fungal or bacterial.

Treatment options include:

• professional cleaning of the ear canal, although syringing the ear should usually be avoided

• eardrops containing antibiotics and steroids, if the infection is bacterial in origin

• oral antibiotics

• ear drops containing antifungal medications and steroids, if the infection is fungal in origin

• pain-relieving medications

• keeping ears dry.