Otitis externa is inflammation of the outer ear. Otitis externa includes all the inflammatory conditions of the auricle, external auditory canal and outer surface of the eardrum. It can be localised or diffuse and may be acute or chronic. Acute diffuse otitis externa is also called swimmer's ear.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/otitis-externa-and-painful-discharging-ears