When Should I Call My Doctor
- pain in an ear with or without fever
- long-lasting itching of the ear or in the ear canal
- loss of hearing or decreased hearing in one or both ears
- discharge from an ear, especially if it’s thick, discolored, bloody, or bad-smelling
Getting treatment is the fastest way to relieve the ear pain and stop the infection.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Swimmer’s Ear
The main sign is severe ear pain that gets worse when the outside part of the ear is pulled or pressed on. Sometimes there is itching in the ear canal before the pain begins.
The outer ear might get red or swollen. Lymph nodes around the ear may get enlarged and tender. Sometimes, there’s a greenish-yellow discharge of pus from the ear opening. It can be hard to hear in the affected ear if pus or swelling of the canal begins to block passage of sound into the ear.
Do Allergy Medicines Help Ear Infections
No. Allergy medicines such as antihistamines and are often used to dry out excess fluids in the body. The latest clinical guidelines from the American Academy of Family Physicians do not recommend using antihistamines or decongestants for ear infections. Using these allergy medications to treat ear infections provides little benefit and may cause more harm than good.
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Does Over The Counter Antibiotics Really Work Or Is It A Scam
Antibiotics really work and it is not a scam. Various antibiotics have been used all over the world for several decades to treat a diverse range of bacterial infections. You just need to identify the right antibiotic based on the condition that you are trying to treat. Do not select your antibiotics in a random fashion. Ensure that you do your homework and pick the most suitable antibiotic based on your condition.
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What Increases Your Risk
Some things that increase your child’s risk of a middle ear infection are out of your control. These include:
- Being 3 years old or younger.
- Birth defects or other medical conditions, such as cleft palate or Down syndrome.
- A weakened immune system.
- A family history of ear infections.
- Allergies that cause long-term stuffiness in the nose and can block one or both eustachian tubes.
- Repeated colds and upper respiratory infections.
Other things can increase your child’s risk of ear infection. They include:
- Being exposed to cigarette smoke.
- Being bottle fed.
Things that increase the risk of repeated ear infections include:
- Being in a child care centre with many other children.
- Getting the first ear infection before 6 months of age.
- Having persistent fluid behind the eardrum.
- Having an ear infection in the last 3 months, especially if it was treated with antibiotics.
When To Use A Home Remedy
The best home remedy for an earache depends on the cause. If a cavity is to blame, your earache may not improve until you see a dentist. However, if its an ear infection, using a natural remedy could make the illness bearable as your body fights off the infection.
Many ear infections clear up on their own in about a week or two, with symptoms starting to get better after a few days. Be sure to check with your childs pediatrician if your child has ear pain, especially if they are under 2 years of age.
If your child is running a high fever, or if a fever lasts longer than a day, seek immediate medical care. A high fever for children is defined as:
| Age |
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What Is The Best Over
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen , can help relieve earaches. It is important not to give children over-the-counter pain medications without checking with a doctor first. Some medicines are not recommended or even contraindicated for younger children. It is important to know that aspirin should not be given to children due to the risk of Reyes syndrome, a rare but serious condition that affects the brain and liver.
Besides pain medicines, cough and cold remedies can relieve some of the symptoms of a middle ear infection. Again, be careful about using cough and cold medicines in children younger than 4 years old as they can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about using over-the-counter medicines in older children to ensure accurate dosage and indication before giving it to your child.
Over-the-counter ear drops do not contain antibiotics and will not kill any bacteria that could cause an ear infection. These eardrops usually contain herbal extracts or olive oil that may soothe ear pain. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting these remedies. It is a good idea to check with a doctor before using OTC ear drops for ear infections, especially in children.
How Is An Acute Middle Ear Infection Treated
Many doctors will prescribe an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, to be taken over seven to 10 days. Your doctor also may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or eardrops, to help with fever and pain.
If your doctor isnt able to make a definite diagnosis of OM and your child doesnt have severe ear pain or a fever, your doctor might ask you to wait a day or two to see if the earache goes away. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued guidelines in 2013 that encourage doctors to observe and closely follow these children with ear infections that cant be definitively diagnosed, especially those between the ages of 6 months to 2 years. If theres no improvement within 48 to 72 hours from when symptoms began, the guidelines recommend doctors start antibiotic therapy. Sometimes ear pain isnt caused by infection, and some ear infections may get better without antibiotics. Using antibiotics cautiously and with good reason helps prevent the development of bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics.
If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, its important to make sure your child takes it exactly as prescribed and for the full amount of time. Even though your child may seem better in a few days, the infection still hasnt completely cleared from the ear. Stopping the medicine too soon could allow the infection to come back. Its also important to return for your childs follow-up visit, so that the doctor can check if the infection is gone.
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Applying Ear Drops In Babies & Children
Applying ear drops in babies and some children can be tricky, because they wriggle. You may need help from another adult. The following steps are a guide:
- Reassure your child that this may feel a bit uncomfortable but it will not hurt.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- For babies or small children, you can wrap them up in a blanket to keep them still.
- Its best if your child is lying down on their side with their head on a pillow, or have your child tilt their head to one side.
- Place the tip of the dropper gently just inside the ear hole. Gently squeeze the dropper into the ear to give the correct number of drops.
- Dont let the tip of the dropper touch the ear.
- Ask your child to lie on their side or keep their head tilted for a minute.
- If your child needs the drops in both ears, repeat in the other ear.
- Wipe the dropper with a clear tissue after each use and replace the cap.
- Wash your hands again.
Read more about how to give ear drops to children How to give ear drops Medicines for Children, UK
If you care for children, you likely know already how often they come down with earaches. Adults get them, too, but youngsters have them much more often. Thatâs because they donât fight off viruses and bacteria as well, and their little ears arenât good at draining fluids yet.
You or your child may have a sore throat, stuffy nose, or fever along with an earache. These are signs of a possible infection.
Care For Pregnant Women
The hormonal and anatomical changes of pregnancy mean that being pregnant increases the risk for both urinary tract infections and yeast infections. Not only this but pregnant people and their unborn babies may experience more health complications with even simple infections. UTIs and yeast infections during pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of preeclampsia, premature labor, and low birth weight.
Pregnant women who think they have a UTI or a yeast infection should see their healthcare provider without delay, as these infections should be treated right away to prevent serious complications to both the mother and the child. Your healthcare provider can also help you pick the safest treatments, since some antibiotics and antifungals are not suitable for pregnant women.
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Adenoid And Tonsil Removal
Adenoid removal or adenoid and tonsil removal may help some children who have repeat ear infections or fluid behind the eardrum. Children younger than 4 don’t usually have their adenoids taken out unless they have severe nasal blockage.
To treat chronic ear infections, experts recommend removing adenoids and tonsils only after ear tubes and antibiotics have failed. Removing adenoids may improve air and fluid flow in nasal passages. This may reduce the chance of fluid collecting in the middle ear, which can lead to infection.
When used along with other treatments, removing adenoids can help some children who have repeat ear infections. But taking out the tonsils with the adenoids isn’t very helpful.footnote 2
Tonsils are removed if they are often infected. Experts don’t recommend tonsil removal alone as a treatment for ear infections.footnote 3
Research On Treatments For Outer Ear Infections
Researchers from the analyzed the results of 19 randomized controlled trials that tested various treatments for outer ear infections. Almost 3,400 children and adults with an acute outer ear infection took part in these good-quality studies. The researchers didnt include studies on chronic outer ear infections.
Most of the studies were done in specialized ENT departments. The problem with that is that many people go to their family doctor when they have an earache they are referred to specialized ENT practices or clinics only if the infection is especially severe. So it might not be possible to apply the results of the study to all patients who have an outer ear infection.
Also, the treatments in the various studies weren’t always done in the same way. Because of this, it isnt possible to draw any reliable conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of the various ear drops and sprays.
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Who Is At Higher Risk For Ear Infections
- Children less than 5 years old, because they have shorter eustachian tubes.
- Children who attend daycare, because they tend to have more colds.
- Children with allergies.
- Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke. Smoke causes inflammation of the eustachian tube, making ear infections more likely.
- Children who were not breastfed. Breast milk has antibodies that help fight infections.
- Babies who are being bottle-fed, especially if they swallow milk while lying too flat. Milk can enter the eustachian tube and cause inflammation, which increases the risk of an ear infection. Children should be held upright while drinking a bottle. When they are old enough to hold their own bottle well, they should be taught to drink from a regular cup and no longer given a bottle.
- Children with cleft palates, as their eustachian tubes are often inflamed.
- Children of First Nations and Inuit descent, though its not clear why.
- Children with Down syndrome.
Ear Drops For Swimmers Ear
Swimmers ear is typically treated with prescription ear drops. The most commonly prescribed drops combine a corticosteroid to calm inflammation with either an antibiotic or acetic acid.
If the infection is caused by a fungus, your doctor can prescribe antifungal ear drops as opposed to antibiotic ear drops.
Typical treatment usually involves placing ear drops 3 or 4 times each day for 5 days. Application instructions will vary depending on the prescription and you should follow your doctors specific recommendations.
With prescription ear drops, your symptoms typically improve within 24 hours and are gone in two or three days.
OTC ear drops, commonly containing isopropyl alcohol and glycerin, often focus on helping the ear dry out quicker as opposed to fighting the infection.
OTC pain medication
If your discomfort level is high, your doctor might recommend OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen , ibuprofen , or naproxen to address any discomfort your swimmers ear might be causing.
These would be to lessen the symptoms of pain, not cure the problem itself.
If the skin is scratched, its open for infection.
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Medicines For Outer Ear Infection
Your GP may recommend or prescribe the following medicines to treat your outer ear infection and ease your symptoms.
- Over-the-counter painkillers. Your GP may recommend over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease any pain. They may prescribe codeine if your pain is severe.
- Ear drops or sprays. Your GP may prescribe ear drops or a spray containing an antibiotic or an antifungal. Sometimes this may be combined with a corticosteroid. You usually need to use these for at least seven days and up to a maximum of 14 days.
- Antibiotic tablets or capsules. Oral antibiotics arent usually needed for outer ear infections. But your GP may prescribe them if you have a serious infection or an infection that cant be treated with ear drops and sprays. Your GP may refer you to a specialist if you need oral antibiotics.
Always read the instruction leaflet that comes with your medicines. If you have any questions about your medicines and how to take them, ask your pharmacist. We have more information on applying ear drops in our FAQ: What is the best way to apply ear drops?
Pet Md Veterinary Tris Flush Cat & Dog Ear Cleaner
Mild, non-stinging Tris Flush Ear Cleaner For Dogs & Cats by Pet MD was designed to be gentle but effective in flushing out nasty infections from your dog ears, eliminating the root cause of your dog ear infection.
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A product made in the USA and meets its standard is a good choice for you to get rid of itchy, scaly irritation as well as sticky, stinky, and impacted ear wax. The ear infection treatment for dogs and cats is ideal for routine ear cleaning and is gentle on skin rashes and pet acne.The product also helps save money on vet bills!
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What Are The Best Home Remedies For Ear Infections
Since watchful waiting is a fairly common approach to treating ear infections, home remedies are popular for treating this common condition. There are many different sworn methods out there for treating everything from the earache or ear pain to the infection itself. However, it is important to remember that if untreated by a medical professional, some ear infections can result in a worsening condition such as a ruptured eardrum or hearing loss. Some of the commonly used home remedies for ear infections include:
- Cold or warm compress: Using a cold or warm compress on the affected ear can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Patients may notice more success by alternating between both a cold compress and warm compress every 10 minutes or so. However, simply using one or the other should make some difference in the condition.
- Changes to sleep positions: Some ear infections are made worse by sleeping in a way that irritates the affected ear. By sleeping with the infected ear raised instead of down it can help relieve pressure and may allow it to drain more easily or prevent fluid buildup.
- Olive oil: While it is an older remedy, olive oil is said to have some soothing properties. It is used by putting just a few warmed drops in the patients ear. It may have some soothing benefits. However, given that it isnt a studied treatment for ear infections it might be a better option to use in combination with other home remedies.