Skin prick test reactivity in patients with chronic eczematous external otitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of skin prick test (SPT) positivity in patients with eczematous external otitis.


METHODS
Forty-six patients with eczematous external otitis and forty-four healthy volunteers were included in the study. All the patients were skin-tested by prick test. Reactions were assessed by the degree of redness and swelling and the size of the wheal produced.


RESULTS
According to SPT positivity and total immunoglobulin E values, the difference between the study and the control groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The most common skin reactions were against to mites and grasses in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
Eczematous external otitis is perhaps the most difficult to treat of all forms of external otitis because the provocative agents usually remain undiagnosed. Patients suffering from eczematous external otitis symptoms should be investigated for allergens and be informed for prevention of the causative agents. SPT might be performed in cases of prolonged or treatment-resistant external otitis.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Rize University Faculty of Medicine, Rize, Turkey.
Ozlem
O
Celebi Erdivanli
K Cagdas
KC
Kazikdas
Zerrin
Z
Ozergin Coskun
Munir
M
Demirci