[Local treatment of non-suppurative otitis externa. A double-blind randomized study]

A comparison between a plain steroid lotion and a steroid lotion with an additional keratolytic and antiseptic was conducted in order to assess the value, if any, of additives in the treatment of dry external otitis. Sixty patients with dry external otitis were treated with either a plain steroid lotion or a steroid lotion with additives. Assessments were made prior to and after one week of treatment regarding erythema, oedema, secretion, itching, pain and spontaneously reported side-effects. No significant differences in efficacy were observed between the treatments. Statistically significant differences in favour of the plain steroid lotion were found with regard to reduction of erythema and occurrence of spontaneously reported side-effects. These findings invalidate the demands of additives to steroid lotions in the treatment of dry external otitis.