Is otitis media related to ear cleaning?
Disease description:
I enjoy ear cleaning and do it frequently. Recently, I’ve been experiencing itching and pain in my ears. After examination, I was diagnosed with otitis media. Is otitis media related to ear cleaning?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Gang
Otitis media is generally not related to ear cleaning. However, some individuals use ear picks or similar tools to clean their ears, inadvertently introducing bacteria into the ear canal and triggering otitis media. If the ear is cleaned too vigorously, the ear pick may come into contact with the eardrum, potentially causing tympanic membrane perforation and subsequent infection, which can also lead to otitis media. Most cases of otitis media result from decreased immunity or upper respiratory tract infections; bacterial infections may also cause otitis media.
