Middle Ear Infection Treatment
Treating middle ear infections usually involves antibiotics. The antibiotics may be prescribed in the form of oral medication or ear drops. Many doctors will also recommend taking medication to manage the pain of the infection, such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers.
If you are also experiencing cold or allergy symptoms, the doctor may also advise taking a decongestant like Sudafed or earache drops, an antihistamine like Benadryl or Claritin, or using a steroidal nasal spray like Flonase.
One helpful technique for alleviating middle ear infection symptoms is called autoinsufflation, which is meant to help unblock your eustachian tubes. You do this by pinching your nose, closing your mouth, and exhaling gently. The motion sends air through the eustachian tubes to help drain them.
Another technique that you can do at home is to apply a warm compress to the ear. This can help alleviate the feeling of pressure building up. For best results, use the compress for 20-minute periods while resting.
Signs Of An Ear Infection
If you recognize the signs and symptoms of an ear infection, give us a call. Some of the most common symptoms to watch out for are:
- Drainage from the ear
- Pain in one or both ears
- Changes in hearing
- Sore throat
- Swollen glands in neck
In some cases, your balance may be affected. Seek immediate medical attention if you have a high fever or severe pain.
Types Of Ear Infection In Adults
The majority of ear infections are the outer ear infection , but the middle ear infection can also occur .
Outer Ear Infection
Outer ear infections are also known as swimmer’s ear, because it is a common swimmer’s problem. Swimmer’s ear is an infection in the outer canal of the ear. It happens when contaminated water gets into the outer ear letting germs to grow and develop because of the moist, warm conditions.
Middle Ear Infection
Middle ear infection is most often a viral or bacterial infection that affects the air-filled space behind the eardrum, containing small vibrating bones of the ear. When bacteria or fluid gets trapped inside the ear, an infection might occur.
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Tested Home Remedies For Ear Infections In Adults
1. Salt Compress
Salt can be one of the easily available home remedies for the ear infections. Just heat a cup of salt on pan/double boiler or microwave. Then take out the salt on a cloth and tie from top.When some heat is released, place the salt filled cloth over the affected ear for 5-10 minutes. Repeat the procedure every day. Salt can be replaced with rice.
2. Heating Pad
Heat pad not only relieves pain quickly but also prevents micro-organism infestation. You need to use heating pad or warm water bottle to press against ear. Remember to apply heat for short periods. Start with 5 mins, and then remove. Apply few minutes later again.
3. Make the Best of Garlic
Naturally, garlic has the ability to relieve pain, especially earache. It can be used in different ways. You can prepare garlic oil by frying 2 cloves garlic in oil until blackish, strain and use as ear drops when slightly warm. Otherwise, just boil garlic in some water, crush and add salt, place in cloth piece and place over ear. The simplest way to apply garlic is to eat garlic daily.
4. Apply Basil Oil
Basil also works to relieve ear infections in adults. Minor earache and infections can be treated with basil. Extract juice of 4-5 basil leaves and apply on the ear and surroundings. Don’t let it enter into the ear canal. You can also mix holy basil oil with carrier oil. Soak in cotton ball and wipe it inside the ear.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar in Cotton Ball
6. Olive Oil to Clean
7. Tea Tree Oil
8. Mullein Drops
Inner Ear Infection Symptoms:
- Dizziness Because inner ear infections are caused by inflammation of the inner ear nerves, they can create a feeling of imbalance that leads to the sensation of dizziness.
- Nausea This is another feeling that can arise from the imbalance caused by inflammation of the inner ear nerves.
- Vomiting One of the most severe symptoms of inner ear infections, vomiting can also be a consequence of the imbalance caused by inflammation of the inner ear nerves.
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How Do Cotton Swabs Cause Outer Ear Infections
Dr. Wang: Earwax is a natural way for your body to trap and slow the growth of bacteria that may have entered your ear. When you apply cotton swabs, you often wind up pushing earwax further into the ear canal. This impacted wax can then trap water or moisture deep in the canal, setting you up for an infection.
Warm Water Bottle Or Compress
Whenever a person suffers physical pain, treating it with a hot substance often becomes the first option as an effective remedy.
Generally, using a warm water bottle or a warm compress works most of the time. Applying a warm cloth on the infected ear for a few minutes and then repeating the process can help in reducing the pain in the ear.
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A Pharmacist Can Help With An Ear Infection
It would help if you treated the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen. Aspirin should not be provided to children under the age of 16.
A warm flannel placed over the affected ear can also help alleviate the discomfort.
If you let your pharmacist know about your symptoms and ask for their opinion, he or she might be able to prescribe over-the-counter ear drops for your earache.
If the eardrum has ruptured, ear drops or olive oil drops should not be used because they will not help with an ear infection.
If your external ear infection is minor, you might be able to treat it at home with the help of a pharmacist if appropriate. The following actions can be beneficial:
If you have discharge, use cotton wool to wipe it away gently, but do not block your ear with it.
Finally, see your doctor if you have a lot of discharge from your ear.
Pharmacists may recommend using over-the-counter painkillers, including paracetamol and ibuprofen, and the use of heat in older children and adults.
If you have a foreign body in your ear, you should see your doctor and probably an ear specialist.
Ear drops should not be used to clean out vegetative foreign bodies like food because they can swell and cause inflammation or infection.
What Causes An Ear Infection In Adults
Ear infections can be caused by a cold or other respiratory infections, the presence of extra fluid in the ear, bacterial infections, and viral infections. Some of the most common causes of ear infections in adults include:
- The common cold A cold can move to one or both ears through the eustachian tubes, which are connected to the middle ear. The infection irritates the eustachian tubes and causes them to swell, which prevents the ears from draining properly.
- Water in the ear The presence of water in the ear, often referred to as swimmers ear, creates a breeding ground for bacteria in the outer ear.
- Bacterial infections Similarly to the common cold, bacterial infections can cause ear infections when they travel to the ear through the eustachian tube. The presence of bacteria inflames the eustachian tubes and causes them to swell, preventing the ears from draining properly.
- Tissue irritants When a foreign object scratches or touches the ear, it leaves the ear susceptible to any bacteria that may have been present on that object. Q-tips and fingers are both common examples of irritants that can cause an ear infection.
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When Should I Return To My Healthcare Provider For A Follow
Your healthcare provider will let you know when you need to return for a follow-up visit. At that visit, you or your childs eardrum will be examined to be certain that the infection is going away. Your healthcare provider may also want to test you or your child’s hearing.
Follow-up exams are very important, especially if the infection has caused a hole in the eardrum.
What Is An Inner Ear Infection
Otitis interna, is the medical terminology of the inner ear infection. It is a disease that involves inflammation of the inner ear .
Now, this may become pretty painful, if proper care is not given, especially during the initial stages. Thus, if you are an adult having an ear infection, it is advised that you give serious attention to its symptoms and see a doctor as early as possible.
A condition diagnosed as an inner ear infection may actually be a case of inflammation and not an actual infection. An inner ear infection is inflammation or irritation of the parts of the ear called labyrinthitis, which is responsible for balance.
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Will Ear Infections Get Better On Their Own
Some ear infections resolve on their own. Often, they get better when the underlying cause goes away. But in some cases, they hang on. If your ear still hurts after your cold clears up or your allergies have calmed down, make an appointment at Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care.
If you have the following symptoms, come in right away:
- Severe pain
- Hearing loss
- Fever
When you need urgent care, we offer same-day and walk-in appointments. Dr. Lee may prescribe antibiotics to help you fight the infection, ear drops that go straight to the source, pain relievers, or anti-inflammatories.
More important, he investigates the reason for your ear infections and treats the underlying cause to help you avoid repeat infections.
Left untreated, ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss, so dont ignore the symptoms. To schedule an appointment, call or book online.
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Can Ear Infections Be Prevented
Some lifestyle choices can help protect kids from ear infections:
- Breastfeed infants for at least 6 months to help to prevent the development of early episodes of ear infections. If a baby is bottle-fed, hold the baby at an angle instead of lying the child down with the bottle.
- Prevent exposure to secondhand smoke, which can increase the number and severity of ear infections.
- Parents and kids should wash their hands well and often. This is one of the most important ways to stop the spread of germs that can cause colds and, therefore, ear infections.
- Keep children’s immunizations up to date because certain vaccines can help prevent ear infections.
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Why Do Children Get Many More Ear Infections Than Adults Will My Child Always Get Ear Infections
Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections for these reasons:
- The eustachian tubes in young children are shorter and more horizontal. This shape encourages fluid to gather behind the eardrum.
- The immune system of children, which in the bodys infection-fighting system, is still developing.
- The adenoids in children are relatively larger than they are in adults. The adenoids are the small pads of tissue above the throat and behind the nose and near the eustachian tubes. As they swell to fight infection, they may block the normal ear drainage from the eustachian tube into the throat. This blockage of fluid can lead to a middle ear infection.
Most children stop getting ear infections by age 8.
Do Any Coronavirus Variants Cause Ear Infections
There are no conclusive studies at the moment showing that COVID-19 and its developing variants directly cause ear infections. That being said, a recent report out of India showed some cases of hearing loss among some people who contracted the Delta variant. More research needs to be conducted, but right now COVID-19 is not associated with ear infections.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Inner Ear Infections In Adults
We heard your ear is bothering you. Are you wondering if its an inner ear infection?
Its important to recognize the signs of an ear infection so that you can seek treatment. Sometimes, they go away on their own, but if symptoms persist, it can lead to damage or hearing loss.
Keep reading to find out about the symptoms of inner ear infections in adults so you can stay happy and healthy.
Earaches In Adults: What You Need To Know
Been a while since you woke up with a sharp, stabbing earache? Such a distant memory you don’t even know where to find a heating pad like the one your mom used to carefully apply to the side of your face?
Consider yourself lucky but not necessarily off the hook. Although ear infections are more common among children, some 20% occur in adults. Bad news for those of us who thought we had outgrown that phase for good. But the good news is, for the most part, there are easy ways to fix the problem, and even easier ways to avoid the common mistakes that can land even the most responsible adults in the reclining chair of an ear, nose and throat doctor .
Luckily, Dr. Brian Wang, an ENT doctor at Houston Methodist, is here to answer all of our burning questions about the types of ear problems that most frequently occur in adults.
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Types Of Middle Ear Infections
Middle ear infections are called otitis media. When otitis media is accompanied by fluid in the middle ear, ear infections are referred to as serous otitis media, or otitis media with effusion.
Middle ear infections often occur after a cold virus or upper respiratory infection. They are also more common in individuals who suffer from allergies or enlarged adenoids , which can inhibit proper functioning of the auditory tube.
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi often enter through the auditory tube, which can then become swollen and blocked with mucus, preventing drainage and ventilation of the middle ear.
The main symptoms of middle ear infections include:
- Ear pain, which may be worse in the morning or cause difficulty sleeping
- Ear drainage
- Trouble hearing
- Fever
A healthcare provider can diagnose a middle ear infection based on symptoms and an examination, which involves looking at the eardrum with an otoscope .
When Should I Call The Doctor
Very rarely, ear infections that don’t go away or severe repeated middle ear infections can lead to complications. So kids with an earache or a sense of fullness in the ear, especially when combined with fever, should be seen by their doctors if they aren’t getting better after a couple of days.
Other things can cause earaches, such as teething, a foreign object in the ear, or hard earwax. Your doctor can find the cause of your child’s discomfort and treat it.
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Symptoms Unique To Covid
- Sore throat
- Tiredness or fatigue
Some COVID-19 symptoms are more serious than others, and there are also some that are less likely to present themselves in some cases. If you begin to experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider right away:
- COVID toes:This refers to purplish or red discoloration of your toes. Your toes may feel painful and itchy.
- Delirium: Confusion and disorientation can be caused by COVID-19 affecting the bodys central nervous system. This can be very serious, so seek immediate medical attention if you experience delirium.
- Deep vein thrombosis:Some people with COVID-19 may be at higher risk of developing this blood clotting in the lower leg or thigh. This can be serious since it can lead to a pulmonary embolism, where the blood clot travels up to the blood vessels of the lungs. If you notice your legs showing signs of this condition, like swelling, cramping, discoloration, and itching, consult your healthcare provider right away.
- Stroke:Blood clots can lead to a stroke, but this is particularly rare. Its been found that people with underlying cardiovascular issues are at higher risk of stroke if they have COVID-19. Make sure you see your healthcare provider right away if you start seeing any signs of a stroke, including slurred speech, confusion, and blurred vision.
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- Sleep disruption
Other symptoms of an ear infection include:
How Is An Ear Infection Diagnosed
Ear exam
Your healthcare provider will look at your or your childs ear using an instrument called an otoscope. A healthy eardrum will be pinkish gray in color and translucent . If infection is present, the eardrum may be inflamed, swollen or red.
Your healthcare provider may also check the fluid in the middle ear using a pneumatic otoscope, which blows a small amount of air at the eardrum. This should cause the eardrum to move back and forth. The eardrum will not move as easily if there is fluid inside the ear.
Another test, tympanometry, uses air pressure to check for fluid in the middle ear. This test doesnt test hearing. If needed, your healthcare provider will order a hearing test, performed by an audiologist, to determine possible hearing loss if you or your child has had long lasting or frequent ear infections or fluid in the middle ears that is not draining.
Other checks
Your healthcare provider will also check your throat and nasal passage and listen to your breathing with a stethoscope for signs of upper respiratory infections.
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