Treatment Options For Ear Infections And Pain
For relief of ear pain associated with swimmer’s ear or a middle ear infection,it’s OK to take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or Tylenol® . A warm compress placed over theaffected ear can also relieve the pain from swimmer’s ear. You should consult with an expert to treat the cause of the infection.
When Should I Call The Doctor About An Ear Infection
- You or your child develops a stiff neck.
- Your child acts sluggish, looks or acts very sick, or does not stop crying despite all efforts.
- Your childs walk is not steady he or she is physically very weak.
- You or your childs ear pain is severe.
- You or your child has a fever over 104° F .
- Your child is showing signs of weakness in their face .
- You see bloody or pus-filled fluid draining from the ear.
- The fever remains or comes back more than 48 hours after starting an antibiotic.
- Ear pain is not better after three days of taking an antibiotic.
- Ear pain is severe.
- You have any questions or concerns.
Those Itchy Red Welts Can Be Brought On By More Than Just Pet Dander And Pollen
- Pin
If you break out in hives, medically known as urticaria, your skin itches and is covered in red or skin-colored welts, but it’s not always clear what might have triggered them.
What we do know: Hives can appear anywhere on the body, including your face, torso, arms, legs, and back, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology . They may range in size from as tiny as a pencil tip to as large as a dinner plate. Hives typically crop up when you have an allergic reaction to a substancelike pet dander, pollen, or latextriggering your body to release histamine and other chemicals into your blood. That’s what causes the itching, swelling, and other symptoms, per the ACAAI.
Whether someone falls into the category of acute hives or chronic hives , there are some concrete causes of those pesky red bumps.
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Vestibular Neuritis And Labyrinthitis
Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis are disorders that result in inflammation of the inner ear and/or the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. Generally caused by a viral infection, these conditions cause vertigo , dizziness, imbalance, unsteadiness, and sometimes problems with vision or hearing.
In a healthy balance system, the brain combines messages sent by the balance control systems in both ears, but if one side is affected the messages from that side are distorted, causing the symptoms of dizziness and vertigo.
What do the symptoms of vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis feel like?
Symptoms of vestibular neuritis are characterised by a sudden onset of a constant, intense spinning sensation that is usually disabling and requires bed rest. It is often associated with nausea, vomiting, unsteadiness, imbalance, difficulty with vision and the inability to concentrate.
While neuritis affects only the inner ear balance apparatus, labyrinthitis also affects the inner ear hearing apparatus and/or the cochlear nerve, which transmits hearing information. This means that labyrinthitis can cause hearing loss or ringing in the ears .
What causes vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis?
How is a diagnosis made?
How are vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis treated?
Vestibular neuritis can be treated with corticosteroids in the early stages, and, if necessary, with medications to reduce nausea and the vertigo.
Living with damage caused by vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
Diagnosing A Skin Rash
A doctor can sometimes diagnose a skin rash by visually examining the affected area and taking a medical history.
If a doctor isnt certain what may be causing the rash, they may take a swab or scraping of your skin and send it to a laboratory. A laboratory technician can then identify the bacteria, virus, or fungus that may be causing the rash.
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What Is Menieres Disease
This is an inner ear disorder that causes ringing in the ears, a feeling as if youre spinning and hearing loss that becomes progressive and finally permanent. Some medical studies connect Menieres disease with seasonal allergies or food allergies. Allergy immunotherapy may help some patients.
Millions of people suffer from allergies, and allergies can affect the ears. Over-the-counter medications usually can help alleviate the symptoms. Sometimes an allergic reaction can lead to a short-term hearing loss, which clears when the allergies subside. If your ear health is suffering due to allergies or another reason, schedule an appointment with a hearing care provider as soon as possible to get to the bottom of it!
Can Allergies Affect Your Ears
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Autumn is hay fever season. Theres also pollen, grass, pet dander and dust contributing to allergies. The most common symptoms are itchy and watery eyes and a stuffy nose. Can allergies affect your ears? Yes, in several ways.
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
The American Academy of Pediatrics promotes an approach of treating the pain and waiting for two to three days to see if it goes away, as it usually will. You should check with your healthcare provider as to when a child needs to be seen.
Ear pain that worsens or doesn’t improve, fever, and drainage with blood or pusespecially in a baby under age 6 monthsrequire medical evaluation.
Adults should call their healthcare provider when experiencing ear pain or other symptoms to learn whether they should wait or come in for an examination. Adults with otitis media should be evaluated by an ENT practitioner to rule out a nasopharyngeal cancer, which is a rare cause of otitis media in adults
Ear Infection Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
A healthcare provider will be able to confirm the diagnosis by seeing signs of inflammation of the eardrum on physical examination.
If you or your child is treated for a middle ear infection, take note of when your practitioner says you should have improvement. If the ear doesn’t respond to treatment, or if new symptoms are noted, call your medical professional or pediatrician. Similarly, if any new symptoms are noted after treatment for otitis media with effusion, mention them to your healthcare provider.
Ear Infection Home Treatment
Infections of the outer, middle, and inner ear usually are caused by viruses. Most outer and middle ear infections can be treated at home with remedies like warm compresses for ear pain relief, tea tree, ginger, or garlic oil drops.Symptoms of an outer ear and middle ear infection include mild to severe ear pain, pus draining from the ear, swelling and redness in the ear, and hearing problems. Middle and inner ear infections may cause fever, and balance problems. Inner ear infections also may cause nausea, vomiting, vertigo, ringing in the ear, and labyrinthitis .Most outer and middle ear infections do not need antibiotics. Inner ear infections should be treated by a doctor specializing in ear and hearing problems.
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Causes And Symptoms Of Ear Infections
Ear infections are the most common ailment among babies and young children. Seventy-five percent of children will have at least one ear infection before their third birthday.
There are two common types of middle ear infections:
Ginger For Nausea And Vertigo
Some studies suggest that ginger tea can be an effective treatment for vertigo. Other studies indicate that ginger is an effective treatment for nausea.
However, it is worth noting that researchers conducted these studies in participants experiencing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo , a different type of vertigo than that which occurs with labyrinthitis. That said, they share some symptoms, including nausea.
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Is It Really An Ear Infection
Ear infections cause significant and sometimes serious ear pain, overnight awakening, missed school, missed work, and lots of parental heartache. For some children, infections in the ear can be a chronic problem and lead to repeated clinic visits, multiple courses of antibiotics, and rarely a need for tube placement by surgery. For most children, ear infections occur more sporadically, just bad luck after a cold. Fortunately the majority of children recover from ear infections without any intervention. But about 20-30% of the time, they need help fighting the infection.
Ear infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria when excess fluid gets trapped in the middle portion of the ear, behind the eardrum. When that space fills with mucus or pus it is put under pressure and it gets inflamed causing pain. Symptoms of ear infections include pain, fever, difficulty hearing, difficultly sleeping, crankiness, or tugging and pulling at the ear. This typically happens at the time or soon after a coldtherefore the fluid in the ear can either be filled with a virus or bacteria.
The most important medicine you give your child when you first suspect an ear infection is one for pain.
Antibiotics only help if bacteria is the cause. When a true infection is present causing pain and fever, antibiotics are never the wrong choice. Often youll need a clinicians help in diagnosing a true ear infection.
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How Are Hives Diagnosed
Your doctor will need to ask many questions in an attempt to find the possible cause of hives. Since there are no specific tests for hives — or the associated swelling of angioedema — testing will depend on your medical history and a thorough exam by your doctor.
Your doctor may do skin tests to find out what you’re allergic to. Or they may test your blood to see if you have an illness.
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An Adverse Reaction To Exercise And Environment
Although a daily dose of thirty minutes of exercise is highly recommended, it may also be causing an individual to break out in hives. The body produces a chemical that can inhibit cell breakdown as cause rashes, known as acetylcholine, during exercise as a natural bodily response. Sweating is also known to cause a breakout of hives in those who are already prone to the condition. The sweat itself is not causing the hives, but the excess warmth of the skin can irritate the area concerned. Managing the inhabited environment, exercise, and what is consumed is paramount if hives are affecting an individual on a regular basis. There are also many environmental occurrences that can cause hives to break out such as excess heat, powerful winds, bug bites, and some plants are known to cause a breakout. If environmental concerns are worrisome, talk to a health professional about taking an antihistamine to reduce skin irritability.
Make An Informed Choice Regarding Ear Infections And Rashes
At FastMed Urgent Care, we know that when kids are hurting from an ear infection, relief cant come fast enough. Thats why we are open seven days per week and offer extended weekday hours. Be sure to check with your local FastMed Urgent Care clinic to find out about special holiday hours.
Our medical professionals can get your young one diagnosed and feeling better, usually in under an hour. And you never need an appointment. Just walk right in! We will help you decide the best treatment for you or your childs ear infections, skin rashes, and any other ailment thats bothering you.
to find out more about FastMed Urgent Care in your community!
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Serious Problems That Hives Could Indicate
Urticaria, or hives, is a frequent symptom experienced by people with allergies to various foods or medication and viral diseases. It is also one of the most common skin conditions seen by allergists. The reason it is so complex because of the number of different causes, making it difficult to pinpoint the root of the problem.
Typically, hives are not life-threatening, but the condition is unpleasant and the symptoms, such as itchy, red welts, are uncomfortable. However, hives can also be the underlying symptom of more severe autoimmune illnesses and conditions.
What Are The Possible Complications Of Ear Infections
The common ear infection can sometimes lead to hearing problems and, rarely, serious and even life-threatening complications.
The common ear infection can sometimes lead to hearing problems and, rarely, serious and even life-threatening complications.
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Ear infections arent usually a huge cause for concern. Theyre not contagious, and in most cases they clear up on their own or with over-the-counter pain medicine and a round of antibiotics.
Theyre also very common, especially among children. In fact, at least 8 in 10 children will have one or more ear infections by their third birthday.
Complications, though rare, do occur. When they do, they can be serious.
Complications can happen at any age, but they’re much more common in children under the age of 1, says Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD, a partner at ENT and Allergy Associates in New York City.
We’re really aggressive when a small baby comes in with an ear infection because their preformed pathways between the brain and the ear there are a couple that are open, which makes small children more prone to complications, Dr. Chandrasekhar says. Young children we treat early and aggressively to prevent complications.
The following are some complications associated with ear infections:
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About External Ear Infection Or Otitis Externa
If your child has an external ear infection, the lining of her ear canal on the outer side of her eardrum is infected.
Children who swim a lot often get external ear infections. This is because water stays in their ears after swimming and causes irritation.
External ear infections might also happen if your childs ear canal is damaged by using cotton buds or scratching. A secondary bacterial or fungal infection often develops when this happens.
Children who have skin problems like eczema or dermatitis are more likely to get external ear infections.
The medical term for external ear infection is otitis externa. You might also hear it called swimmers ear.
The ear has three main parts the outer ear , the middle ear , and the inner ear .
The 5 Most Common Sources Of Hives
- Allergies
An allergic reaction is the single most common cause for an outbreak of hives. It can happen to anyone at any time. Some children with allergies seemingly outgrow them, and adults can develop them almost out of nowhere. Food allergies will cause hives. Other foods that can cause hives include milk, eggs, shellfish and peanuts . An allergy to medications will also result in hives, so your doctor will ask if you have started taking any new drugs or assess whether your hives may be the result of an ongoing medicinal treatment.
Bites and stings by insects like bees, mosquitoes, or wasps can cause hives. This reaction is called papular urticaria and can result from the bites and stings of almost any insect, including fleas and bedbugs. These hives may last longer than other types of hives. Contact with animals, most commonly domestic ones like cats or dogs, can cause an allergic reaction and hives. However, the exposure to the dander, saliva, or urine of many animals can trigger a reaction.
Pollen is another common allergy, and unsurprisingly a reaction to a pollen allergy can manifest as hives. Physical exposure to or touching allergens like latex can cause hives as well. Even allergy shots can cause hives, since these shots expose you to allergens in order to strengthen your immunity.
- Stress
- Infections & Illnesses
- Exercise
- Exposure to the Elements
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How Is A Middle
Your health care provider will take a medical history and do a physicalexam. He or she will look at the outer ear and eardrum with an otoscope.The otoscope is a lighted tool that lets your provider see inside the ear.A pneumatic otoscope blows a puff of air into the ear to check how wellyour eardrum moves. If you eardrum doesnt move well, it may mean you havefluid behind it.
Your provider may also do a test called tympanometry. This test tells howwell the middle ear is working. It can find any changes in pressure in themiddle ear. Your provider may test your hearing with a tuning fork.
Corneal Ulcers In Dogs
The cornea is the transparent, shiny membrane that makes up the front of the eyeball. With a corneal ulcer, fluid is absorbed from the tears into the stroma, giving a cloudy appearance to the eye. The most common cause of a corneal ulcer is trauma. Less common causes of corneal ulcers include bacterial infections, viral infections, and other diseases.
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What Causes My Sinuses To Be Infected
Infection in the sinuses, or sinusitis, happens when harmful bacteria or viruses make their way into the sinuses. These cause your sinuses to become inflamed, which consequently blocks mucus from draining, causing an unnecessary build-up in your sinuses. With a sinus infection, youll feel stuffiness and pressure in the upper parts of your face, including behind your eyes. Most sinus infections are viral in nature, so theyll resolve themselves in a week or two without any treatment.