| Alternative Names:
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| Ear infection - outer ear - acute; Otitis externa - acute
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| Symptoms:
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Ear pain -- may worsen when pulling the outer ear
- Itching of the ear or ear canal
- Drainage from the ear -- yellow, yellow-green, pus-like, or foul smelling
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| Signs and tests:
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| When the physician looks in the ear, it appears red and swollen, including the ear canal. The ear canal may appear eczema-like, with scaly shedding of skin. Touching or moving the outer ear increases the pain. It may be difficult for the physician to see the eardrum with an otoscope. Taking some of the ear's drainage and doing a culture on it may identify bacteria or fungus.
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