Final answer:
Ear drops containing acetic acid, antibacterials, and steroids are the best treatment for otitis externa. Cortisporin otic drops and Floxin otic, which are effective against Pseudomonas spp., are more suitable than antibiotics like amoxicillin or Augmentin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best treatment option for otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer's ear and often caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is typically with ear drops containing a combination of acetic acid, antibacterials, and steroids to reduce inflammation. Since Pseudomonas spp. are known to resist most antibiotics due to their ability to produce ß-lactamases, mutate porins, and pump certain antibiotics out of the cell, medications like amoxicillin and Augmentin, which contain ß-lactam antibiotics, may not be the most effective. In contrast, Cortisporin otic drops, which contain polymyxin B and neomycin along with a steroid to reduce inflammation, and Floxin otic, which is a fluoroquinolone effective against Pseudomonas spp., might offer better efficacy in treating this condition.