What Causes A Small White Spot, Swelling And Pain Inside The Ear?

Posted on Fri, 8 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 8 Apr 2016 Answered on

Tue, 7 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had a small white spot (sort of like a pimple but white and somewhat flat) for 3 or 4 days - it seemed to go away yesterday - but back again today. Some swelling inside the ear and more painful today. Went on boat ride and now it really hurts. Seem to hear OK. But just painful. Tylenol does not seem to help.

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Otitis externa.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Recent boat rise, sweating in ear followed by pain not responding to tylenol and prior history of white spots recurring, indicates its outer ear infection also called otitis externa also called swimmer's ear. You need ear drops of lignocaine and ciprofloxacin mixed together along with some oral antibiotics and ibuprofen for the pain relief.

Seek an otorhinolaryngologist, let them examine the ear, prescribe you the antibiotics and see what other options are possible to hasten the recovery. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar