Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Itchy ears can drive a person crazy. It can be the first sign of an infection, but if the problem is chronic, it is more likely caused by a chronic dermatitis of the ear canal. Seborrheic dermatitis and eczema can both affect the ear canal. There is really no cure for this problem, but it can be made tolerable with the use of steroid drops and creams. People with these problems are more prone to acute infections as well. Use of ear plugs, alcohol drops, and non-instrumentation of the ear is the best prevention for infection. Other treatments for allergies may also help itchy ears.
What should I do if I get a foreign object or insect in my ear?
Foreign objects are frequently placed in the ear by
young children or occur accidentally while trying to clean
or scratch the ear. Frequently there is an accompanying
external ear infection. Removal of any object from the ear
can be very difficult, and should only be attempted by a
physician skilled in the techniques of safe removal.
Usually this can be done in the office, but sometimes
general anesthesia must be used in cases where the object
is lodged too deeply in the ear or if the patient is
uncooperative. It is important to remember that the most
common reason an ear is injured from a foreign object is
because of inadvertent damage occurring during removal of
the object.
Insects or bugs may also become trapped in the ear.
Small gnats may become caught in the
ear wax and cannot fly
out. They can often be washed out with warm water. Larger
insects or bugs may not be able to turn around in the
narrow canal. If the insect or bug is still alive, first
kill it by filling the ear with mineral oil. This will
suffocate the insect, then see your doctor to have it
removed. For more, please read the Objects or Insects in Ear article.
Middle ear infection or inflammation (otitis media) is inflammation fo the middle ear. There are two types of otitis media, acute and chronic. Acute otitis media is generally short in duration, and chronic otitis media generally lasts several weeks. Seventy-five percent of children in the U.S. suffer from otitis media at some point. Treatment depends upon the type (chronic or acute).
Cleft palate and cleft lip are facial and oral defects that occur early in pregnancy. A cleft lip is a split of the two sides of the upper lip, and a cleft palate is a split in the roof of the mouth. Cleft lip the fourth most common birth defect in the U.S. Repair of a cleft palate or cleft lip may require multiple surgeries.
Cleidocranial dysplasia is a genetic condition. Cleidocranial dysplasia is also referred to as cleidocranial dysostosis and cleidocranial dysostosis. Cleidocranial dysplasia primarily affects bone and teeth development. Symptoms and signs may vary widely with severity. The RUNX2 is the gene that is related to cleidocranial dysplasia. Cleidocranial dysplasia is an autosomal dominant pattern inherited condition.
Hearing RSS
Healthy Living Tips
