Otitis externa treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes, a doctor on Maple can treat acute otitis externa once you've been given an otitis externa diagnosis.

The doctor will probably ask you to visit a clinic so that they can examine your inner ear more closely before suggesting any otitis externa prescriptions.

Yes, a doctor on Maple will be happy to discuss your condition with you.

If you've had a history of otitis externa in the past, it could be more likely for this condition to recur.

The doctor may refer to past otitis externa treatments you've had to treat your otitis externa symptoms or they may ask you to visit a clinic for further evaluation before confirming an otitis externa diagnosis.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe otitis externa medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it works page to learn more.

Otitis externa, also known as “swimmer's ear”, is an inflammation of the external auditory canal, which is the area that connects the eardrum to the outer ear.

It can be the result of infection, allergies, or a dermatologic cause.

Otitis externa signs and symptoms can vary, depending on how far along the inflammation has progressed.

These can be divided into mild, moderate, and serious symptoms.

Mild otitis externa symptoms include:

• Itchy ear canal
• Redness in the interior of the ear
• Some clear, odorless fluid draining from the ear
• Mild discomfort or tenderness, which can be made worse by pulling on the outer ear or pressing on the tragus (the little bump) at the front of the ear

Moderate otitis externa symptoms include:

• Worsening pain
• Excessive drainage of fluid
• Muffled or decreased hearing in the affected ear
• Severe itching
• Redness spreading further in the ear
• Feeling like there is something stuck in your ear

Serious otitis externa symptoms include:

• Total blockage, possibly causing complete hearing loss in that ear
• Redness or swelling spreading to the outside of the ear
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Fever
• Foul-smelling, yellowish discharge from the ear
• Severe pain that can spread to the neck, face, or side of the head

Typically, otitis externa causes can be traced to three sources:

• Abrasions or scratches within the ear canal
• Allergic reactions to certain cosmetic products or jewelry
• Excessive moisture in the ear

These otitis externa causes can be minimized by avoiding certain things that will increase your risks of contracting this condition, such as:

• Jamming objects into the ear (fingers, cotton swabs, etc.)
• Using devices that occlude the ear (earbuds, hearing aids, etc.)
• Getting water into your ear that is contaminated with bacteria or funguses (such as that found in public pools, or untreated, stagnant water like those found in some ponds or lakes)
• Using products that you know may cause allergic reactions (cosmetics, jewelry, etc.)

Some dermatologic conditions can make you predisposed to experiencing otitis externa, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.

Radiation exposure to the area can also alter the skin-cerumen (ear wax) barrier, and cause otitis externa.

Normally, an otitis externa diagnosis would be given after a doctor examines your ear canal and eardrum, to ensure the eardrum isn't also inflamed or infected. If it is, this could suggest an alternate cause or a middle ear infection (concomitant otitis media).

In some cases, the doctor may suggest having a sample of the discharge from the ear tested, to help identify what microorganism is causing your infection.

This will help them identify the most efficient otitis externa treatment options for you, including specific otitis externa prescriptions you may need to fight off certain types of fungal or bacterial infections.

If you have symptoms or signs of otitis externa, you should talk to your doctor right away.

The infection can become serious if it's left untreated, so it's best to seek treatment for otitis externa as soon as possible after you begin showing symptoms.

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $85/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: Access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

At Maple, we proudly prioritize privacy as a cornerstone of our virtual care services. We strictly adhere to privacy and healthcare legislation in Canada, such as PIPEDA and PHIPA regulations, to ensure patients' personal and health information remains completely private and safeguarded.

Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.