Surfer's ear

src: www.danintranet.org

Surfer Ear is a common name for abnormal bone eksostosis or growth in the ear canal. The surfer's ear is not the same as the swimmer's ears, although the infection may result as a side effect.

Irritation from cold wind and exposure to water causes the bone to surround the ear canal to develop new bone growth ligands that constrict the ear canal. Where the ear canal is actually blocked by this condition, water and wax can become trapped and infect. This condition is so named because of its prevalence among cold water surfers. Warm water surfers are also at risk for eksostosis due to wind-induced evaporative cooling and presence of water in the ear canal.

The most diligent surfers have at least some mild bone growth (eksostosis), causing little or no problems. The condition is progressive, so it is important to take precautions from an early age, preferably each time surfing. This condition is not limited to surfing and can occur in any activity with cold, wet, windy conditions such as windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, jet skiing, kite surfing and diving.

Video Surfer's ear

Signs and symptoms

In general one ear will be worse than the other ear because of the prevailing wind direction of the surfing area or the side that most often attacks the first wave.

• Hearing loss or hearing loss, temporary or ongoing
• Increased prevalence of ear infections, causing ear pain
• The difficulty of evacuating debris or water from the ear causes a blockage sensation

Maps Surfer's ear

Cause

The majority of patients come in the mid 30s to late 40s. This may be due to a combination of slow bone growth and decreased participation in activities associated with the surfer's ear past the 30's. However, the surfer's ear is possible at any age and is proportional to the amount of time spent in cold, wet, windy weather without adequate protection.

The normal ear canal is about 7mm in diameter and has a volume of about 0.8 ml (about one-sixth of a teaspoon). As the condition progresses, the diameter narrows and can even close completely if left untreated, although patients usually seek help once the channel has narrowed to 0.5-2mm due to real hearing loss. Although not always dangerous in and of itself, the constriction of the ear canal from this growth can trap debris, causing painful and difficult to treat infections.

src: pacificviewent.com

Prevention

The widespread use of wetsuits has allowed people to surf in much colder waters, which has increased the incidence and severity of the surfer's ears for people who do not protect their ears well.

• Avoid activity during very cold or windy conditions.
• Keep the ear cane warm and dry.
  • Ear plug
  • Wetsuit Cotton
  • Swim hats
  • Diver helmet

src: i.ytimg.com

Treatment

Surgery to remove the obstruction of the ear canal bone is usually performed under general anesthesia in the operating room and is assisted by the use of a binocular microscope. Most ear surgeons use a drill to remove the bone and may approach the area directly through the ear canal or by making an incision behind the ear and dissecting the ears forward. In using drilling techniques, it is important to keep the inner skin of the inner ear away from the drill to maintain the skin and allow optimal skin coverage at the end of the operation.

Some doctors now prefer to use a 1 millimeter chisel to remove bone blocking and enter directly through the ear canal. This technique improves skin preservation. This technique may, in some cases, be done under the influence of sedation with local anesthesia.

During recovery from surgery, it is important not to open the ear canal to water to minimize the possibility of infection or complications.

Depending on the condition of the ear canal and the surgical technique used, the ear canal may take several weeks to several months to heal.

Unprepared ear canal exposure to cold water and wind after treatment can lead to bone regrowth and the need for repeated surgery on the same ear.

src: www.sbia.com.au

See also

• Surfer myelopathy
• Pterygium (conjunctiva)

src: i.ytimg.com

References

• Mariezkurrena, X. Altuna; et al. (2004-08-24). "Prevalence of Exostoses Surfers of the Basque Coast" (PDF) . Servicio de Orl. Donosto Hospital, San Sebastian. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of exostoses in the surfers population of the Basque Coast
• Samy, MD, Ravi N; et al. (2006-05-30). "External Ears, Benign Tumors". www.emedicine.com, WebMD.

src: www.surfacademy.co.uk

External links

• The ear surfer of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (including video operations)

Source of the article : Wikipedia