Efficacy of 2% Glacial Acetic Acid in External Canal Pruritis

Introduction: Isolated itching of ears or external canal pruritis is one of the common conditions seen in ENT outpatient department with no identifiable cause. Examination findings always reveal normal external auditory canal and hence treatment becomes challenging. This study aims to compare the MISS (Modified Itch severity score) before and after topical application of 2% glacial acetic acid in cases of external canal pruritis. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of 35 patients who came to ENT OPD with the complaint of ear itching and were examined. Any patient with pathological otoscopic findings were excluded. They were given Modified Itch severity questionnaire and the scores were noted. 2% glacial acetic acid in the form of ear drops were administered for 3 weeks and the questionnaire scores were noted again by the physician. Results: Based on the different parameters of the questionnaire it was found that severity of itch was strong in 25.7% of the patients. 37.1% had difficulty in sleeping which indicates the severity of the condition. 18.51% patients suffered from stress along with external canal pruritis. The pre and the post medication MISS score after using 2% glacial acetic acid was found to be statistically significant.(p<0.001) Conclusion: Stress plays an important role in intractable ear itching. Use of ear buds and ear plugs have been incriminated as predisposing factors for chronic itching. 2% glacial acetic acid ear drops was proved to improve symptoms in patients who had tried all kinds of preventive measures but failed to improve.