Eustachian tube, which is blocked due to allergies, upper respiratory tract infections, and pressure changes, can cause problems such as pain in the ear, obstruction, and tear of the eardrum. Eustachian tube obstruction is common in summer due to air travel and diving sports. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan talked about otolaryngology diseases seen in summer.

Why Do Summer Months Pose a Risk for ENT Problems?

During the summer months, the frequency of entering the sea and the pool also increases, so we see an increase in water-borne diseases. Especially unclean waters cause external ear canal infections and upper respiratory tract diseases if these waters are swallowed. Again, as a result of the widespread use of air conditioners in the summer months, "air conditioning microbes", which can settle in the poorly cleaned filters of these air conditioners, lead to an increase in upper and lower respiratory tract infections. It facilitates bleeding because hot air causes enlargement of the vessels in the nasal mucosa. Eustachian tube obstruction may occur in patients whose eustachian tube does not work well due to the increase in airplane travel in the summer months and may cause the formation of otitis media or puncture of the eardrum due to sudden pressure trauma after diving.

What are the Most Common ENT Problems in Summer?

The most common ENT problems, external ear canal infections, nosebleeds, middle ear inflammation due to eustachian tube obstruction and perforation of the eardrum as a result of sudden pressure trauma, upper respiratory tract infections that can be transmitted from air conditioners and pool waters can be listed.

Eustachian Tube Obstruction

The Eustachian tube extends between the middle ear and the nasal region. It allows the middle ear to air out and balances the middle ear pressure. Eustachian tube obstruction is the inability of the eustachian tube to perform these functions for various reasons. 

What Causes Blocked Eustachian Tube?

The Eustachian tube may be obstructed due to reasons such as cold, allergic rhinitis, adenoid growth, masses covering the nasal area, anatomically narrowed eustachian tube, and exposure to sudden pressure changes. In the summer months, air travel and diving sports are carried out more. There is a marked change in pressure in both, and under normal conditions, a person whose eustachian tube is working normally can release excess pressure reflected in the middle ear. People with impaired eustachian tube functions will experience problems due to increased pressure.

Is There a Specific Risk Group for Eustachian Tube Obstruction?

Children with frequent upper respiratory infections and large adenoids, and patients with allergic rhinitis constitute the risk group. In addition, radiotherapy applied to the head and neck region may cause deterioration in the functions of the eustachian tube. Prolonged reflux of the throat has also been reported to impair eustachian functions.

What to Do to Prevent Eustachian Tube Obstruction? 

People with eustachian tube obstruction should not travel by plane or dive. It is known that a temporary blockage occurs in the eustachian tube when having an upper respiratory tract infection. Hence, air travel and diving should not be done while having an acute upper respiratory tract infection.

How to Treat Eustachian Tube Obstruction?

The cause leading to blockage in the eustachian tube should be eliminated. Patients are recommended to chew gum in case of short-term eustachian tube obstructions, decongestant nasal sprays, and antiallergic drugs are used for no more than 5 days. It is necessary to use antibiotics in patients with prolonged, developing middle ear inflammation or perforation of the eardrum.

What is Swimmer's Ear?

It is an infection of the external auditory canal. Infection recurs as a result of prolonged exposure to pool or seawater, especially due to water-loving microbes.

What Causes Swimmer's Ear?

Chemical substances and a humid environment facilitate the settlement of microbes by traumatizing the outer ear canal. Dirty water poses a risk due to the bacteria and fungi it contains.

Is There a Specific Risk Group for Swimmer's Ear?

Diseases that can also affect the external ear canal, such as eczema or psoriasis, people who frequently confuse their ears with foreign objects, water remaining in the ear canal due to swimming or frequent showering, and swimming in dirty water are risk factors for the occurrence of this disease.

What are Swimmer's Ear Symptoms?

Ear pain, itching, decreased hearing, swelling, redness, and discharge in the external auditory canal.

What to Do to Prevent Swimmer's Ear? 

Avoiding swimming in dirty water and keeping the ear dry are the first measures to be taken. Earplugs can be used when swimming. People with ear eczema can protect the outer ear canal from water with cotton plugs with solid Vaseline applied. After exposure to water, they may dry the outer ear canal with a paper towel. Besides, it should not be traumatized by scratching the outer ear canal with foreign bodies.

How to Treat Swimmer's Ear?

The discharge in the ear canal is cleaned and the culture is taken from this discharge to detect the active microbe and appropriate. Antibiotic-containing ear drops are prescribed. Sometimes the ear canal becomes too narrow to allow ear drops to pass through. In this case, a thin buffer is placed inside the ear. The drops are dripped on the tampon and the canal is opened. Oral antibiotics are rarely needed. If the active fungus is antifungal, it is necessary to use
 antifungal drugs. A painkiller is used to relieve pain and swelling. Corticosteroids may be prescribed to decrease itching and inflammation. An infection that starts in the outer ear canal can spread to the cartilage and bone of the ear canal, especially in people with diabetes or those with weakened immune systems. This is called malignant external otitis. In this case, the patient should be hospitalized and treated.