engleski

Seawater related ottitis externa

Background It is well known that water influences upon the skin inflammation of the external auditory canal. The common terms for these illnesses are &laquo ; swimmer’ s ear&raquo ; or &laquo ; diver’ s ear&raquo ; . Factors, which influence on their development, are the length of exposure to water, the type of water (salty or potable) and water pollution. The aim of the study was to compare risks for acquiring the disease between groups of football players, swimmers, water polo players and other patients at the Clinic for ear-nose-throat (ENT) diseases. Methods Retrospective case-control analyses of patients at the ENT-clinic regarding their exposure to seawater. Swimmers and water polo players had swum in the swimming pool of seawater chlorinated by automatic swimming pool cleaning system. Results Senior football players compared to players younger than 13 were not at increased risk for external auditory canal skin disease (OR=2, 59 ; 95%CI=0, 69-9, 82). On the other hand, swimmers and water polo player older than 13 were at higher risk (OR=2, 57 ; 95%CI=1, 35-4, 87). Swimmers were at higher risk for the disease than football players (OR=2, 74 ; 95%CI=1, 35-5, 57) as well as water polo players (OR=2, 30 ; 95%CI=1, 13-4, 70). Swimmers and water polo players showed to be more susceptible to external auditory canal skin diseases than football players (OR=2, 51 ; 95%CI=1, 33-4, 76). There were no difference for the risk between swimmers and water polo players (OR=1, 19 ; 95%CI=0, 64-2, 22). Swimmers and water polo players compared to other patients of the ENT-clinic were at higher risk for the disease (OR=14, 28 ; 95%CI=10, 32-19, 75) than football players (OR=5, 68 ; 95%CI=3, 23-9, 97). While the athletes contracted the disease through year, other ENT patients did only during the summer. Conclusions We have proved that frequent and longer exposure to water is risk for acquire inflammation of the external auditory canal skin. It is necessary to pay attention to skin hygiene and reduce exposure as much as possible.

auditory canal; inflamation; sea; water

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