How long it takes to recover from otitis externa cannot be generalized and depends on the specific condition of the patient. Bacterial infections and fungal infections can cause inflammation of the external auditory canal, and clinical treatment needs to be tailored to the cause. Acute otitis externa is mainly a bacterial infection, which can be recovered in about 7-10 days by flushing out the secretions with hydrogen peroxide and applying oxyfloxacin ear drops. In the case of fungal otitis externa, which is prone to recurrence, attention should be paid to keeping the area clean and dry while applying antifungal medication, and the course of treatment is relatively long, usually requiring at least 2 weeks and possibly as long as 1-2 months. In the case of malignant otitis externa, which often occurs in diabetic patients, the mortality rate is relatively high. Otitis externa usually does not require hospitalization, but very few patients with very severe conditions, such as necrotizing otitis externa, require surgical treatment.