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Otitis externa - Management
When should I refer or seek medical advice when managing chronic otitis externa?
- Consider referral when:
- Otitis externa does not respond to appropriate treatment in primary care.
- Contact sensitivity is suspected and patch testing would be useful to guide further management.
- The ear canal is occluded or becoming occluded.
- Malignant otitis is suspected.
Basis for recommendation
- These recommendations are pragmatic advice. CKS found no relevant trial evidence or guidelines.
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