Quote Originally Posted by LCF View Post
Actually, systemic antibiotics WILL work for an outer ear infection, if they are the correct ones. We generally do not use them simply because the drops work and do not give a dose to the entire body, thus avoiding gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea or colitis.

The typical organism for otitis externa is a pseudomonas species, and they are rarely, if ever, sensitive to amoxacillin. They are sensitive to neosporin (which is the cortisporin solution often prescribed) and to fluoroquinolones like Cipro.

It is highly unlikely to get bacteria into the middle ear via the Eustachian tube, unless you are doing some extremely forcible equalization. More likely is to get some barotrauma and create a rich culture medium which is seeded by normal bacterial flora, or via the bloodstream.

I have never had otitis externa, but I noted that when I came home from this last Florida trip, I had the foulest smelling earwax for about two weeks. There is SOMETHING nasty in that water!
What LCF said!

I'd also add - the high humidity in Fl. contributes to external ear infections significantly, as the ears don't readily dry out. People will get external otitis down here by just doing yardwork, or showering, and not getting the water out of the external ear canal. Use ear beer, as many have said, or the commercial equivalent SwimEar. And don't clean your ear canals with Qtips, bobby pins, or paper clips! Denuding the ear canal of protective wax and abrading the very thin skin of the external ear canal are major contributors to "swimmers ear".