Otitis Externa and Otinova

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
Click to book online

My Child Is Being Teased About Their Ears: A Parent’s Guide to Pinnaplasty in London & Essex

My Child Is Being Teased About Their Ears: A Parent’s Guide to Pinnaplasty in London & Essex “My child is being teased because their ears stick out. Should we have them pinned back?” It is an understandable question, especially when a previously confident child suddenly starts hiding their ears with their hair, refusing certain hairstyles, or telling you someone at school has commented on them. For parents in London, East London, Brentwood and Essex , the difficult part is often knowing whether to reassure and wait, address the teasing itself, or seek a specialist opinion about pinnaplasty. The important starting point is this: prominent ears are usually a normal variation in appearance, not an illness that needs correcting. Surgery should therefore never become an automatic response to somebody else making an unkind comment. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon , discusses prominent ears with families in the wider context of the child’s own wishes, ear development, expec...

Swallowing Difficulty (Dysphagia): Causes, Warning Signs and When to See an ENT Specialist

Swallowing Difficulty (Dysphagia): What Causes It and When Should You Be Concerned? Most people swallow hundreds of times every day without noticing. When swallowing becomes uncomfortable, difficult or feels abnormal, it can quickly affect eating, drinking and quality of life. Some patients describe food “sticking” in the throat, while others notice coughing during meals, discomfort swallowing tablets or a persistent sensation of tightness in the throat. The medical term for swallowing difficulty is dysphagia . Swallowing problems can range from mild irritation to more significant conditions requiring specialist investigation. This article explains common causes of dysphagia, symptoms to look out for and when to seek ENT assessment. What is dysphagia? Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing. It may involve problems with: Swallowing solids Swallowing liquids Initiating a swallow Sensation of food sticking Pain during swallowing Coughing or choking while eating Symptoms ...

Private Pediatric Coblation Tonsillectomy London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar

Private Pediatric Coblation Tonsillectomy London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar Coblation Tonsillectomy for Children: A Gentler, Less Painful Option in London and Essex When a child suffers from chronically enlarged tonsils that disrupt their breathing at night, or recurrent bouts of tonsillitis that cause high fevers and missed school days, surgical removal is often the most effective long-term solution. However, the prospect of a traditional tonsillectomy can make many parents incredibly anxious, primarily due to concerns over post-operative throat pain and a lengthy recovery period. Fortunately, modern surgical advancements have introduced a technique designed specifically to address these concerns: Coblation Tonsillectomy . If you are looking into private treatment options for your child outside of overstretched local NHS waiting lists, understanding how this gentle technology works can help you make an informed choice. This guide breaks down the benefits of coblation and how famil...

Tonsil Stones or Tonsilloliths

Where do Tonsil Stones come from? Tonsil stones or tonsillolith are formed in the tiny crevices on the tonsil surface. Tonsils are present at the back of the throat. Two large tonsils on each side can catch food particles when we eat. This food debris can accumulate bacteria and give a bad smell. This mixture of bacteria and food debris can become solid to form tonsil stones. Can Tonsil Stones go away on their own? Tonsil stones form due to food particle and bacteria. You can prevent stone formation by regularly rinsing mouth after every meal, good oral hygiene and dental care. Gargling with salt water and gentle use of bud to deliver the stones can help in some cases. Soft water floss can help keep tonsil surface clean. If you have, post nasal drip due to sinusitis, seeking treatment advice from ENT surgeon can help. You should not use sharp objects to clean tonsil stones or make tonsil surface bleed. What symptoms do tonsil stones cause? Tonsil ston...

After your Epley manoeuvre — patient information leaflet

What this leaflet tells you This leaflet explains what to expect after the Epley (canalith repositioning) manoeuvre for posterior-canal BPPV, what you should and shouldn’t do, and when to seek help. 1. Quick summary — what the Epley did The manoeuvre moves tiny particles (otoconia) out of the balance canal of your inner ear and back into a place where they don’t cause spinning (vertigo). Most people feel much better after one or a few treatments. However BPPV can come back (recurrence is common). 2. How you may feel immediately afterwards You may feel dizzy or off-balance for a few minutes to a few hours; nausea is possible. Some people feel better straightaway; others get gradual improvement over days. Rarely ,you may have brief recurrences of vertigo — this does not always mean the manoeuvre failed. 3. Activity and posture — what the evidence says Good news: High-quality studies and recent guidelines show that strict he...

Flying with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction | London & Essex ENT

Dread the Descent? Tips for Flying with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Blocked Ears in East London, Brentwood and Essex For most holidaymakers or business travellers across East London, Brentwood and Essex, boarding a flight is the start of an exciting journey. But if you suffer from Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) , looking at a plane ticket can fill you with pure dread. The thought of that final 30-minute descent—waiting for a sharp, agonizing pop or a feeling of absolute deafness that lasts for days after landing—is enough to make anyone anxious. You might find yourself frantically chewing gum, swallowing hard, or panicking as you sit on the tarmac, worrying about permanent damage to your hearing. If you are tired of your ears feeling completely blocked every time you travel, it is not something you simply have to endure. Understanding how your ears react to cabin pressure, paired with a few specialist strategies, can completely transform your next journey. Anatomy and Path...

Hoarseness or change in voice...

When should I get worried about my change in voice? Change in voice can be due to so many causes. It can be due to simple things like acid reflux, chronic cough, flu, post nasal drip leading to frequent throat clearing or due to cancer on the voice box. "IF YOU HAVE CHANGE IN VOICE WHICH IS GETTING WORSE FOR MORE THAN 3 WEEKS, YOU NEED TO SEE AN ENT SURGEON." Other symptoms which can be present with a change in voice in cases of laryngeal cancer be weight loss when you are not dieting, a lump in the throat, earache, shortness of breath, throat pain. How does the ENT surgeon diagnose what is causing my hoarseness? Change is voice can be due to both non-cancer and cancerous reasons. On a visit to ENT voice specialist, he or she will take a full detailed history, access how your profession is affecting your voice and how voice change is affecting your job. After recording your quality of sound, an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera attached) is used to ...

Why do I get nose bleeds?

What is nose bleed or epistaxis? Inside of the nose is lined by mucosa which is very rich in blood vessels. One of the main functions of the nose is to humidify the air we breathe in and out. Humidication is naturally achieved by mucous cells lining the nose. Blood vessels can become weak due to dryness, high pressure behind the vessels or hormonal changes. What are different kinds of nose bleeds? In simple terms, one can have an anterior nose bleed or posterior nose bleed. Anterior nose bleed is when most of the blood comes out through the nostril and some you spit out. Posterior nose bleed is when you spit most of the blood and little comes out through nostril. Why do children have nose bleeds? It is very common for children between 2 to 10 to have nose bleeds. Dry weather during summers and dry air indoors during winters due to heating tends to dry nasal mucosa. Dry nasal mucosa, in turns, makes it itchy for children to rub their nose and lead to...

Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery: Day-by-Day Guide After Tonsil Surgery

Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery: What to Expect Day by Day Adult tonsillectomy can significantly improve quality of life for people struggling with recurrent tonsillitis, chronic sore throats or repeated throat infections. However, recovery after adult tonsil surgery is often more uncomfortable than many patients expect. Understanding the normal stages of recovery can help reduce anxiety and allow patients to prepare properly before surgery. This guide explains what adults commonly experience after tonsillectomy, how to support recovery safely, and when to seek urgent medical advice. Why is adult tonsillectomy recovery difficult? The tonsils sit in an area that moves constantly during swallowing, eating and speaking. After surgery, the throat heals gradually over approximately two weeks. Adults generally experience: Significant throat pain Pain when swallowing Ear pain (referred pain from the throat) Tiredness and reduced energy Disturbed sleep Temporary bad brea...

Child's Ear Piercing Swollen or Infected? What Parents Should Know | London & Essex

My Child's Ear Piercing Is Swollen and Painful — Is It Infected? Your child recently had their ears pierced. Everything seemed fine initially. Then, a few days later, you notice something worrying. The ear looks red. It feels warm. Your child complains that touching it hurts. There may be discharge around the earring. You may immediately wonder: “Is this normal healing, or has the piercing become infected?” For parents, the distinction is important. Mild tenderness can occur after a new piercing. However, increasing pain, swelling, warmth or discharge may indicate infection. And there is another important point that many families do not realise: An infection involving the upper ear cartilage can be more serious than an ordinary earlobe infection. Let's explain why. What is normal after a new ear piercing? A new piercing creates a small skin wound. During the early healing period, you may notice mild tenderness, itching, or local redness. A little pale fluid may also dry into ...

ENT conditions (Mr Gaurav Kumar)

Search This Blog