Otitis Externa and Otinova: A Practical, No-Nonsense Guide If your ear suddenly feels itchy, sore, blocked, or painful after swimming or showering, you may be dealing with otitis externa —often called “swimmer’s ear.” The good news: most cases are very treatable with the right early steps. This guide explains what otitis externa is, why it happens, where Otinova fits in, and when to escalate quickly. What is otitis externa? Otitis externa is inflammation (and sometimes infection) of the skin lining the external ear canal. It commonly presents with: Ear pain (often worse when touching or pulling the outer ear) Itching Fullness/blockage Reduced hearing from swelling/debris Sometimes watery discharge Otinova’s own instruction documents describe it as treatment for ear canal inflammation/eczema (swimmer’s ear). Why does it happen? The ear canal is protected by a mildly acidic environment and a skin barrier. Otitis externa tends to flare ...
Otitis Externa and Otinova: A Practical, No-Nonsense Guide
If your ear suddenly feels
itchy, sore, blocked, or painful after swimming or showering, you may be
dealing with otitis externa—often called “swimmer’s ear.”
The good news: most cases are very treatable with the right early steps.
This guide explains what otitis
externa is, why it happens, where Otinova fits in, and when to escalate
quickly.
What is
otitis externa?
Otitis externa is inflammation (and sometimes infection) of the
skin lining the external ear canal. It commonly presents with:
- Ear pain (often worse when touching or
pulling the outer ear)
- Itching
- Fullness/blockage
- Reduced hearing from swelling/debris
- Sometimes watery discharge
Otinova’s own instruction
documents describe it as treatment for ear canal inflammation/eczema (swimmer’s
ear).
Why does it
happen?
The ear canal is protected by a
mildly acidic environment and a skin barrier. Otitis externa tends to flare
when that barrier is disrupted, for example:
- Repeated water exposure (swimming,
frequent showers)
- Earbud/hearing-aid occlusion with
moisture retention
- Over-cleaning or cotton bud trauma
- Eczema/seborrheic skin in the canal
- Local irritation from
sprays/dyes/products
In short: moisture +
microtrauma + altered pH is the common recipe.
Burow’s formula
(also called Burow’s solution) is a mildly acidic, aluminium
acetate–based astringent used in ear-canal care to help dry excess moisture,
reduce local swelling/oozing, and make the environment less favourable for
microbial overgrowth. In otitis externa, this supports restoration of the ear
canal’s natural skin barrier and pH, which can ease itch and discomfort in
early or mild inflammation. Because it is acidic, brief stinging can occur; it
should be used as directed and avoided unless advised by a clinician if there
is a suspected eardrum perforation or a grommet in place.
Where does
Otinova fit?
Otinova is a medical-device ear
spray (not an antibiotic or steroid)
formulated with:
- aluminium acetate
- aluminium acetotartrate
- acetic acid
- water
with low pH (about 3–4, Burow’s solution).
Its intended local effects are
astringent / drying, itch-relieving, and antibacterial/antifungal support in
the canal environment.
That makes it useful
particularly in mild early otitis externa or inflammation-prone ears
where moisture control is central.
How to use
Otinova correctly
Common instructions across
product documentation:
- 1–2 sprays into the affected ear canal,
morning and evening
- Tilt head for 1–2 minutes after spraying
so solution reaches deeper canal
- Avoid continuous use beyond 7 days
unless medically reviewed
- If no improvement by day 7, seek
clinician review
Important
safety checks before use
Do not use without
clinician advice if:
- You might have a perforated eardrum
- You have a grommet/ventilation tube
- Child is very young (product info flags
caution under age 5 unless doctor advises)
- Severe pain, marked swelling/tenderness
around ear, or hearing decline is prominent
These cautions are stated in
manufacturer and UK retail safety information.
What
improvement should feel like
When treatment is working, you
should notice:
- Reduced itching first
- Then reduced soreness/fullness
- Easier touch tolerance of the outer ear
Some people experience temporary
stinging/burning because the solution is acidic; this should settle.
Persistent worsening pain needs medical review.
When
Otinova is not enough
Escalate to same-day or urgent
clinical review if any of these are present:
- Severe pain, fever, spreading redness, or
significant swelling
- Diabetes, immunosuppression, or frailty
- Persistent symptoms after a week
- Recurrent episodes suggesting underlying
eczema/fungal pattern/anatomical issue
- Significant hearing drop or vertigo
At that point, clinicians may
need microscopic toilet/suction, swab-directed therapy, steroid-antibiotic
drops, wick placement, pain strategy, and trigger prevention plan.
Prevention
plan for recurrence
If you get repeated otitis
externa, prevention is as important as treatment:
- No cotton buds or canal “digging.”
- Keep ears as dry as practical after
bathing/swimming.
- Use fitted swim measures if repeatedly
water-triggered.
- Manage eczema/seborrhoea properly (often
the hidden driver).
- Don’t self-treat indefinitely—get canal
assessed if recurrent.
Expert
take-home
Otinova can be a useful non-antibiotic,
non-steroid option in mild otitis externa or irritation-prone canals where
moisture and pH disruption are core issues.
But it should be used with proper safety checks and a low threshold for review
if symptoms are severe, prolonged, or recurrent.
The right mindset is simple:
Treat early, protect the ear canal barrier, and escalate promptly when red
flags appear.
Mr Gaurav Kumar
Consultant Ear Nose Throat Surgeon
Book Appointment
Call 07494914140
