5 Acute otitis externa, noninfective.
Otitis externa is a condition that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and eardrum. Otitis externa is often referred to as "swimmer's ear" because repeated exposure to water can make the ear canal more vulnerable to inflammation.
A disorder characterized by inflammation, swelling and redness to the outer ear and ear canal. An acute or chronic inflammatory process involving the skin of the outer ear and the ear canal.
Its different forms include acute diffuse otitis externa, circumscribed otitis externa, chronic otitis externa, and malignant (i.e., necrotizing) otitis externa.
ICD-10-CM Code for Otitis media, unspecified H66. 9.
Etiology of Otitis Externa. The most common cause of otitis externa is a bacterial infection, although fungal overgrowth is a principal cause in 10 percent of cases. Otitis externa can also result from any of a broad range of noninfectious dermatologic processes.
H60. 0 - Abscess of external ear. ICD-10-CM.
9: Fever, unspecified.
ICD-10-CM Code for Acute reactive otitis externa, bilateral H60. 553.
Why is this ear infection called "swimmer's ear"? Otitis externa was given the nickname swimmer's ear because it most commonly affects individuals who spend a lot of time in water, such as swimmers.
Otitis externa is easily diagnosed by looking into the external ear with an otoscope. The main problem with diagnosis is deciding whether or not there is also an otitis media, as often one cannot see the ear drum very well as the external ear canal is swollen, painful and filled with debris.
First line therapy for mild-to-moderate AOE should be a topical antibiotic with or without topical steroids for seven to 10 days. (4) More severe cases should be managed with systemic antibiotics that cover S aureus and P aeruginosa.
Redness of the ear canal, ear pain, draining fluids and discharge of pus are signs of swimmer's ear (otitis externa). Untreated, the infection can spread to nearby tissue and bone. Swimmer's ear is an infection in the outer ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to the outside of your head.
Otitis externa usually clears within a week or so. When otitis externa is short-lasting, it is described as 'acute otitis externa'. However, sometimes it persists for three months or more and is then described as 'chronic otitis externa'.
What causes an outer ear infection? Swimming (or possibly even bathing or showering too frequently) can lead to an outer ear infection. The water left inside the ear canal can become a breeding ground for bacteria. An infection can also occur if the thin layer of skin that lines the ear canal is injured.
Topical antimicrobials or antibiotics such as acetic acid, aminoglycosides, polymyxin B, and quinolones are the treatment of choice in uncomplicated cases. These agents come in preparations with or without topical corticosteroids; the addition of corticosteroids may help resolve symptoms more quickly.
In ICD-10-CM, Otitis externa is coded to H60 and H62. Example codes include:
Necrotizing (malignant) Otitis Externa – An infection that extends into the deeper tissues adjacent to the EAC. It primarily occurs in adult patients who are immunocompromised (e.g., as a result of diabetes mellitus or AIDS), and is rarely described in children. May result in cases of cellulitis and osteomyelitis.
Otitis externa is commonly known as “swimmer’s ear” and usually is caused by bacteria invading the skin inside the ear canal. Symptoms are usually mild, at first, but may worsen without treatment. Doctors often classify swimmer’s ear according to mild, moderate, and advanced stages of progression.#N#Mild signs and symptoms:
Acute diffuse Otitis Externa – The most common form of Otitis Externa, typically seen in swimmers; it is characterized by rapid onset (generally within 48 hours) and symptoms of external auditory canal (EAC) inflammation (e.g. otalgia, itching, or fullness, with or without hearing loss or jaw pain), as well as tenderness of the tragus or pinna, diffuse ear edema or erythema, or both, with or without otorrhea, regional lymphadenitis, tympanic membrane erythema, or cellulitis of the pinna.
Otomycosis – Infection of the ear canal secondary to fungus species such as Candida or Aspergillus. Complete clinical documentation should indicate the type of otitis externa, such as noninfective, actinic, chemical, contact, eczematoid, infective, reactive, or malignant, as well as the laterality (right, left, bilateral) ...
Advanced progression signs and symptoms include: Severe pain that may radiate to face, neck, or side of the head. Complete blockage of ear canal. Redness or swelling of outer ear.
Mild discomfort made worse by pulling on the outer ear
The ICD code H60 is used to code Otitis externa. Otitis externa (also known as external otitis and swimmer's ear) is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Along with otitis media, external otitis is one of the two human conditions commonly called "earache". It also occurs in many other species.
It also occurs in many other species. Inflammation of the skin of the ear canal is the essence of this disorder. The inflammation can be secondary to dermatitis (eczema) only, with no microbial infection, or it can be caused by active bacterial or fungal infection.
In either case, but more often with infection, the ear canal skin swells and may become painful or tender to touch. A severe case of acute otitis externa. Note the narrowing of the external auditory channel, the prominent amounts of exudate and swelling of the auricle.
Clinical Information. A disorder characterized by inflammation (physiologic response to irritation), swelling and redness to the middle ear. An acute or chronic inflammatory process affecting the middle ear.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM H66.90 became effective on October 1, 2021.