Ear wick used for delivery of ototopical antibiotic drops in patients with severe otitis externa

This picture shows a small ear wick composed of compressed cellulose. The wick is used to assist with delivery of ototopical antibiotic drops in patients with severe otitis media. The coin is included only for the purpose of showing scale.

In patients with severe otitis externa, the ear canal is often so swollen that antibiotic ear drops are unable to pass deep into the canal. In such cases, an expandable small wick, such as the one shown above, is placed in the ear canal to allow the drops to enter into the inner canal. After 24 to 48 hours of treatment, the wick will often come out spontaneously as the ear canal edema subsides. Alternatively, it can be removed by the patient or clinician after a few days.