Medical history (history of illness) is an important component in the diagnosis of otitis externa (otitis media).
Family history
- What is the general health of your family members?
Social anamnesis
Current medical history/systemic medical history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- What symptoms have you noticed in yourself?
- How long have these changes existed?
- Do you have pain in the ear? Do they intensify when speaking and chewing?
- Is there any redness?
- Is the auricle swollen?
- Have you noticed a secretion discharge? If so, what does the secretion look like?
- Do you have itching of the ear?
- Do you have a fever?
- Do you manipulate with cotton swabs or similar in your ear canal?
- Have you noticed any enlargement of the lymph nodes?
Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.
- Have you used any new hair shampoos or cosmetics?
- Do you go to the swimming pool regularly?
- Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?
Self history incl. medication history.
