[Otitis externa in tropical diving and swimming]

Studies of the microflora of the external auditory canal should help to clarify the frequent acute diffuse external otitis which may occur in recreational scuba-divers and swimmers during a stay in the tropics. We found that colonisation with facultatively pathogenic microorganisms increased after exposure. Apart from this contamination, indirect factors such as the tropical climate and intensive exposure to water may play an important role in the aetiology of the external otitis. For individual preventive measures, topical application of paraffin-oil before, and an aqueous solution of alcohol and acetic acid after exposure are recommended.