title: [Microbiology of the external auditory canal in patients with asteatosis and itching].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the microbiology of the external auditory canal in patients with asteatosis and itching and evaluated the efficacy of topical 2% alcohol and boric acid solution in patients with normal flora.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bacteriological and mycological cultures were obtained from 76 ears of 45 patients (36 females, 9 males; mean age 41.8 years; range 17 to 66 years) presenting with normal otoscopic findings and no history of ear diseases. Treatment protocols were planned according to the culture results. Patients with normal flora were administered topical 2% alcohol and boric acid solution to relieve itching.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cultures yielded normal flora in 65 ears (85.5%), bacterial pathogenic flora in 10 ears (13.1%), and mycosis in one ear (1.3%). Complaints of itching decreased significantly following treatment with alcohol and boric acid solution in patients with normal flora (p<0.05). No correlation was detected between age and the severity of itching (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite normal otoscopic findings, external auditory canal cultures may show pathogenic colonization in patients with asteatosis. Topical administration of alcohol and boric acid solution seems to relieve itching in patients with normal flora.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: M Fatih
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Karakuş
authors.forename: H Nedim
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Arda
authors.forename: Aykut
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ikincioğullari
authors.forename: Yeşim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gedikli
authors.forename: Serpil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coşkun
authors.forename: Neriman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balaban
authors.forename: Ozgür
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akdoğan
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000438:Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001888:Boric Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000382:microbiology*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001888:Boric Acids; C032688:boric acid