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Otitis Externa Center - Twin Falls, ID

Twin Falls Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors for Otitis Externa

Type of Physician: Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor

What is a Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor?

A certification by the Board of Otolaryngology; practitioners provide comprehensive medical and surgical care of patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems (nose, mouth and throat) and related structures.

Specialty: Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology)

Common Name: Ear, Nose, Throat Doctor

Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors in Twin Falls *

Snake River ENT
Rod Kack
706 N College Rd
STE STE C
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 735-1000

St Lukes ENT Clinic
Julian O Nicholson
730 N College Rd
STE B
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 732-3066

Snake River ENT
Marilyn Righetti
706 N College Rd
STE STE C
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 735-1000

Temp R Patterson MD
Temp R Patterson
1501 Hiland Ave
STE STE K
Burley, ID 83318
(208) 878-4197

Twin Falls, Idaho

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Swimmer's Ear

What is "swimmer's ear" or acute external otitis?

External otitis or "swimmer's ear" is an infection of the skin covering the outer ear and ear canal. Acute external otitis is commonly a bacterial infection caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus, or pseudomonas types of bacteria. The swimmer's ear infection is usually caused by excessive water exposure. When water collects in the ear canal (frequently trapped by wax), the skin will become soggy and serve as an inviting culture media for bacteria. Cuts or abrasions in the lining of the ear canal (for example, from cotton swab injury) can also predispose to bacterial infection of the ear canal.

What are the symptoms of swimmer's ear?

The first symptom of infection is that the ear will feel full, and it may itch. Next, the ear canal will swell and ear drainage will follow. At this stage the ear will be very painful, especially with movement of the outside portion of the ear. The ear canal can swell shut, and the side of the face can become swollen. Finally, the glands of the neck may enlarge, making it difficult or painful to open the jaw. People with swimmer's ear may experience a decreased capacity for hearing in the affected ear.

What is chronic swimmer's ear?

Chronic (long-term) swimmer's ear can be caused by a bacterial infection, a skin condition (eczema or seborrhea), fungus (Aspergillosis), chronic irritation (such as from the use of hearing aids, insertion of cotton swabs, etc), allergy, chronic drainage from middle ear disease, tumors (rare), or it may simply follow from a nervous habit of frequently scratching the ear. In some patients, more than one factor may be involved. For example, a patient with eczema may subsequently develop black ear drainage. This would be suggestive of an accompanying fungal infection.

The standard treatments and preventative measures, as noted below, are often all that is ...

Recommended Reading Related to Swimmer's Ear

Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip »

Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip Introduction

Cleft lip and cleft palate are facial and oral malformations that occur very early in pregnancy, while the baby is developing inside its mother. Clefting results when there is not enough tissue in the mouth or lip area, and the tissue that is available does not join together properly.

A cleft lip is a physical split or separation of the two sides of the upper lip and appears as a narrow opening or gap in the skin of the upper lip. This separation often extends beyond the base of the nose and includes the bones of the upper jaw and/or upper gum.

A cleft palate is a split or opening in the roof of the mouth. A cleft palate can involve the hard palate (the bony front portion of the roof of the mouth), and/or the soft palate (the soft back portion of the roof of the mouth).

Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur on one or both sides of the mouth. Because the lip an...

Emergency Contact for Twin Falls

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Twin Falls Hospitals *

Canyon View Psychiatric & Addiction Services
228 Shoup Ave W
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208)734-6760

Magic Valley Regional Medical Center
650 Addison Ave W
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208)737-2000

St Benedicts Family Medical Center
709 N Lincoln Ave
Jerome, ID 83338
(208)324-4301

Gooding County Memorial Hospital
1120 Montana St
Gooding, ID 83330
(208)934-4433

Cassia Regional Medical Center
1501 Hiland Ave
Burley, ID 83318
(208)678-4444

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