How to treat an outer ear infection?

At an early stage antibiotic/steroid drops can be applied. If the canal is too swollen or there is too much debris and pus in the ear then the drops will not be able to get into the ear to work. In this situation the pus and debris will need to be cleared with microsuction  and sometimes a sponge dressing is inserted into the ear to absorb the drops allowing them to work.