Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-cc8bf7c57-j4qg9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-11T11:15:41.388Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Otitis media and externa

from Chief complaints and diagnoses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2009

Stephen H. Thomas
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School
Get access

Summary

Given the frequency of otitis media (OM) and otitis externa (OE), there is surprisingly little evidence on treating pain associated with these conditions. For both conditions, there can be utility in mechanical interventions. The NSAIDs are typically recommended as first-line treatment, although evidence is sparse. Topically applied local anesthetics, generally benzocaine, are widely used for otalgia. A eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA), which contains lidocaine and prilocaine, is described as effective for relieving OE pain. Naturopathic topical approaches for OM are found by one investigator to be effective than the topical local anesthetic amethocaine. Trial evidence and reviews find neither antihistamines nor corticosteroids are effective in reducing OM pain. There are no data assessing otalgia relief for systemically administered opioids. However, expert panel evidence supports use of oral agents such as oxycodone or hydrocodone (usually in combination with acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for severe otalgia from either OM or OE.
Type
Chapter
Information
Emergency Department Analgesia
An Evidence-Based Guide
, pp. 335 - 338
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×