In a 7-year-old with ear pain, which symptom is most likely if the child has otitis externa?

In a 7-year-old with ear pain, which symptom is most likely if the child has otitis externa?

• A. He has fever
• B. He has tragal pain
• C. He has difficulty hearing the TV
• D. He has a concurrent upper respiratory infection

Answer: (B)

Otitis externa inflames the external ear canal, and the hallmark sign is intense pain that worsens when the tragus is touched or the ear is pulled. This tenderness comes from the inflamed canal tissues being irritated by movement. Fever isn’t a distinguishing feature here, and while some children may notice muffled hearing if the canal is swollen, hearing difficulty isn’t as specific. A concurrent upper respiratory infection can occur with many conditions but doesn’t define otitis externa. So, the symptom that best fits otitis externa is pain triggered by touching the tragus.

Otitis externa inflames the external ear canal, and the hallmark sign is intense pain that worsens when the tragus is touched or the ear is pulled. This tenderness comes from the inflamed canal tissues being irritated by movement. Fever isn’t a distinguishing feature here, and while some children may notice muffled hearing if the canal is swollen, hearing difficulty isn’t as specific. A concurrent upper respiratory infection can occur with many conditions but doesn’t define otitis externa. So, the symptom that best fits otitis externa is pain triggered by touching the tragus.