health

Infections of the outer ear usually clear up completely in about a
week without long-term complications. In some cases, however,
people develop a chronic infection of the outer ear that extends to
inflammation of the surrounding skin. A few people, most often those
with diabetes or a weakened immune system, may develop a severe
infection of the bone and cartilage near the outer ear that can cause
severe pain and spread to the brain. This rare but potentially life-threatening
complication requires treatment with intravenous antibiotics
and sometimes surgery.
Most cases of otitis media improve within two to three days and clear
up completely in a week or two without complications. If fluid remains
behind the eardrum for long periods of time, however, it may eventually
cause hearing loss. Another possible complication of recurrent or
untreated otitis media is the spread of infection into air cells called mastoids
in the bones around the base of the skull, a condition known as
mastoiditis.