The initial symptoms of otitis externa mainly include itching and purulent discharge. Patients should go to the hospital in time, choose the appropriate method of treatment, but also pay attention to keep the ear clean and dry during the treatment. 1. Itching: when the patient does not clean the ear in time after water ingress into the ear, it is easy to induce otitis externa, resulting in obvious itching symptoms in the ear canal area. 2. Purulent secretion: For acute otitis externa caused by bacterial infection, there will be purulent secretion in the outer ear canal area of the patient, most of which is yellowish-green in color and accompanied by obvious odor. As the initial otitis externa progresses, more serious symptoms will appear, such as congestion and swelling of the external auditory canal, the appearance of small pustules, as well as auricular pulling pain. Prompt treatment is therefore necessary.