Otitis externa is an inflammation of the auricle and external ear canal, mostly caused by ear pulling, water in the ear, etc. Patients with otitis externa usually feel ear pain, which varies in severity, and some may be very severe. The pain may be accompanied by itching of the ear canal, and in some cases, pus may flow out, which can cause temporary hearing loss in severe cases. Usually only one ear is affected. Most otitis externa is mainly caused by bacteria, but of course some irritating causes, allergies, and fungal infections can also cause it. Damage to the skin in the ear and frequent exposure of the ear to water can make a person susceptible to otitis externa. Frequent exposure of the outer ear to water provides a good environment for bacteria to live in, and the chances of getting sick are greatly increased. Otitis externa is a relatively common disease that is more common in women than in men, and some people with long-term chronic illnesses are at greater risk. If left untreated, otitis externa can take a long time to recover, but if professional help is sought, the time can be greatly reduced. Try to avoid inserting cotton swabs or fingers into the ears for picking and scratching in daily life, which can damage the skin in the ear canal, and also take care to avoid water entering the ears, which can also be prone to otitis externa.