Are There Any Risks Associated With Using Otoscopes
The good thing is that there is a very few risks associated with an ear examination. The most important thing that you must take into account is to always change the tip of the otoscope or clean it properly after the examination. Using a dirty or already used tip can spread infection from one ear to the other.
What To Avoid Home Remedies For Dog Ear Infections That Can Be Dangerous
Never, ever, try to put anything directly inside your dogs ears unless your vet has directed it is safe to do so!!
That includes pouring in any liquids or trying to insert cotton buds or Q-tips. You may push bacteria further down your dogs ear canal or damage their eardrum or create a middle ear infection.
Also be wary of applying any home remedies to your dogs ears if they have any sores, open wounds or open scratches. Some ingredients in home remedies, such as cider or white vinegar, can sting and hurt your dog.
Other ingredients such as gentian violet, boric acid, are dangerous to your dog if it enters their system through their bloodstream. Ensure also that you dont use any products that may result in further allergies.
Also Check: What Is Poop In Sign Language
Precise Diagnosis Needed For A Dogs Ear Infections
If your dog is showing any of the common signs of ear infections, its important to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Quick treatment is necessary not only for your dogs comfort , but also to prevent the spread of infection to the middle and inner ear. Do not try to treat ear infections at home.
Be prepared to provide your vet with a thorough history of the problem. This is especially important for first-time infections, or if you are seeing a new veterinarian. Your vet will want to know the following:
- Duration of any symptoms, such as pain, swelling, discharge, and odor
- If your dog has any allergies or other underlying medical conditions
- If your dog is on medication
- What your dog has been eating
- How often you clean your dogs ears and which products you use
- If youve trimmed or plucked the hair in your dogs ears
- Recent activities, such as baths, grooming, or swimming
- If your dog has a history of ear infections, when they occurred, and how they were treated
After obtaining your dogs history, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination. In severe cases, your vet may also recommend sedating your dog to facilitate examination deep within the ear canal. Your vet will evaluate both ears, and the exam may include:
Read Also: Can Excessive Ear Wax Cause Vertigo
A Pharmacist Can Help With An Ear Infection
Speak to a pharmacist if you think you have an outer ear infection.
They can recommend acidic eardrops to help stop bacteria or fungus spreading.
- a long-term medical condition such as diabetes or a heart, lung, kidney or neurological disease
- a weakened immune system because of chemotherapy, for example
Inspection Of The Tympanic Membrane
Advance the speculum slightly forward to increase your view of the tympanic membrane . The tympanic membrane should appear pearly-grey and translucent.
The main anatomical landmarks seen on the tympanic membrane.
Identify the two main regions of the tympanic membrane: the pars flaccida , and the pars tensa .
Identify the lateral process of the malleus bone, which looks like a notch. Identify the handle of the malleus bone, which descends inferiorly and is attached to the tympanic membrane.
Inspect for the light reflex in the anterior inferior quadrant of the tympanic membrane. This will be in the 5 oclock position in the right ear, and in the 7 oclock position in the left ear. Lack of a light reflex is observed in otitis media.
Don’t Miss: How To Sleep Better With Tinnitus
Who Is Most Likely To Get An Ear Infection
Middle ear infection is the most common childhood illness . Ear infections occur most often in children who are between age 3 months and 3 years, and are common until age 8. Some 25% of all children will have repeated ear infections.
Adults can get ear infections too, but they dont happen nearly as often as they do in children.
Risk factors for ear infections include:
- Age: Infants and young children are at greater risk for ear infections.
- Family history: The tendency to get ear infections can run in the family.
- Colds: Having colds often increases the chances of getting an ear infection.
- Allergies: Allergies cause inflammation of the nasal passages and upper respiratory tract, which can enlarge the adenoids. Enlarged adenoids can block the eustachian tube, preventing ear fluids from draining. This leads to fluid buildup in the middle ear, causing pressure, pain and possible infection.
- Chronic illnesses: People with chronic illnesses are more likely to develop ear infections, especially patients with immune deficiency and chronic respiratory disease, such as cystic fibrosis and asthma.
- Ethnicity: Native Americans and Hispanic children have more ear infections than other ethnic groups.
Can You Diagnose Staph Or Mrsa Based On Symptoms
Symptoms alone are not enough to tell if you have Staph or MRSA. Only a professional test can confirm if you have a MRSA infection or Staph . So use these signs and symptoms as a helpful guide, but not as a substitute for getting tested by your doctor.
If you think you could be infected, consider seeing your doctor as soon as possible. Be aware that MRSA and Staph are commonly misdiagnosed as bug or spider bites. Avoid puncturing any pus filled heads yourself incising and draining should only be performed by a healthcare professional to prevent the infection from spreading or growing worse.
You May Like: How To Clean Your Ears Of Earwax
How To Pick The Right Otoscope
Otoscopes are ubiquitous in the medical sector, almost like a stethoscope. Hence, it is essential to select the right one, especially when you are using it at home for your children.
Make sure you purchase an otoscope that is easy to use and comes with different sizes of specula. Pick an otoscope having separate specula for the children, adults, and infants.
Further, otoscopes are available in different sizes and for different patients. So, if you will be using the otoscope only for your infant or children then you can pick a pediatric otoscope. No matter which type you pick, it is essential that you select a professional-grade one possessing high standard.
Finally, consider your needs and budget and then pick an otoscope accordingly.
There are different kinds of infections that can affect an ear. If you find even a small sign of infection in the ear, you must consult your doctor immediately and seek adequate medical assistance.
Recommended Reading: What Is Poop In Sign Language
What Does An Infection Look Like On A Dog
Is your dog feeling itchy, or does his skin appear flaky, moist or crusty? He may have a bacterial or fungal infection. You may also notice, odor, inflammation or redness. Yeast dermatitis or staph infection can bring these symptoms, along with recurring health issues.
Im Bruce. Im the head trainer at Doggie Do Good Rescue, where I have the pleasure of helping owners with all sorts of behavior problems and special needs dogs learn how to play well together and live happily ever after! In addition to performing dog behavior evaluations for rescue groups, potential adopters and owners who are having trouble with their pets, I also teach pet first aid classes, pet CPR classes and pet dog training classes.
Recommended Reading: Can You Be A Firefighter With Hearing Loss
Where Is The Middle Ear
The middle ear is behind the eardrum and is also home to the delicate bones that aid in hearing. These bones are the hammer , anvil and stirrup . To provide the bigger picture, lets look at the whole structure and function of the ear:
The ear structure and function
There are three main parts of the ear: outer, middle and inner.
- The outer ear is the outside external ear flap and the ear canal .
- The middle ear is the air-filled space between the eardrum and the inner ear. The middle ear houses the delicate bones that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. This is where ear infections occur.
- The inner ear contains the snail-shaped labyrinth that converts sound vibrations received from the middle ear to electrical signals. The auditory nerve carries these signals to the brain.
Other nearby parts
- The eustachian tube regulates air pressure within the middle ear, connecting it to the upper part of the throat.
- Adenoids are small pads of tissue above the throat and behind the nose and near the eustachian tubes. Adenoids help fight infection caused by bacteria that enters through the mouth.
Symptoms Of Ear Canal Infection
Symptoms of acute external otitis include pain, redness, and discharge. The discharge is unpleasant-smelling and white or yellow and drains from the ear. The ear canal may have no swelling or slight swelling, or in severe cases, it may be swollen completely closed. If the ear canal swells or fills with pus and debris, hearing is impaired. Usually, the canal is tender and hurts if the external ear is pulled or tugged or if pressure is placed on the fold of skin and cartilage in front of the ear canal .
Fungal ear canal infection causes more intense itching than pain, and people have a feeling of fullness in the ear. Fungal infection caused by Aspergillus niger usually causes grayish black or yellow dots surrounded by a cottonlike material to form in the ear canal. Fungal infection caused by Candida albicans does not cause any visible fungi to form but usually causes a thick, creamy white discharge.
Boils cause severe pain. When they rupture, a small amount of blood and pus may leak from the ear.
Read Also: What Ear Drops Are Good For Ear Infections
Middle Ear Infection Images
Six year old with an early ear infection. He had complained of ear pain for three to four hours. Red dilated blood vessels at the upper part of the ear drum.
Seventeen year old male with a two day history of ear pain and sore throat. The photograph shows dilated blood vessels and a collection of purulent material seen through the ear drum.
Ten year old female with fever, chills and severe right ear pain. The ear drum is thickened, bulging and severely inflamed. If treatment is not started the ear drum will probably rupture and drain.
Adult with severe right ear pain and pressure with hearing loss. The ear drum thickened, inflamed, bulging and will probably rupture and drain. The patient has a fever and looks very ill.
Eight year old boy with fever, severe ear pain and the outer ear being pushing forward by swelling behind the ear. This is an ear infection that has spread to the mastoid area behind the middle ear and is called acute Mastoiditis. He requires intravenous antibiotics and possible surgery.
Young person with a resolving ear infection after being treated with antibiotics for a week. The remaining fluid should resolve over the next several weeks.
Allergies And Ear Infections
Like colds, allergies can also irritate the Eustachian tube and lead to middle ear infections. If you canât keep your child away from whateverâs bothering him, consider an allergy test to figure out his triggers. Medicine or allergy shots may offer relief and stop the infections, too.
Show Sources
You May Like: What Is The Difference Between Conductive Hearing Loss And Sensorineural
Are Ear Infections In Cats Contagious
Ear infections are usually not spread to humans or other pets, but they can be caused by parasites. Cats that have parasites in their ears are more likely to spread the disease to other cats in the house. If you have more than one cat that is affected, you should discuss preventative treatment with your vet.
Signs Of Ear Infection In Babies And Toddlers
Ear infections, particularly middle ear infections, are especially common in babies and toddlers due to the relative narrowness of their Eustachian tube.
Signs and symptoms of an ear infection in babies and toddlers may include:
- High temperature
Ear infections in babies and toddlers will usually clear up on their own, without specific treatment. However, for babies and toddlers experiencing recurrent infections that do not respond well to antibiotics, a doctor may recommend a minor surgical procedure known as a myringotomy.
The procedure involves making a small incision in the eardrum to allow fluids to drain out a small ventilation tube, often called grommets, may also be inserted. This ear tube will typically fall out on its own in around 6 to 18 months.
Although a myringotomy and grommets are generally effective at reducing the number of ear infections experienced by young children, they can still occur. The main sign of an ear infection after tubes have been inserted is the discharge of yellowish fluid from the ear, which will commonly not be accompanied by pain or fever. Antibiotics will typically be prescribed to treat the ear infection.
If you are concerned that your child may have an ear infection, try using the Ada app to find out what the problem may be.
Also Check: Witch Hazel For Ear Infection
Recommended Reading: Can You Get Tinnitus From One Concert
Treatment For Otitis Media
Specific treatment for otitis media will be determined by your childs physician based on the following:
-
Your childs age, overall health, and medical history
-
Extent of the condition
-
Antibiotic medication by mouth or ear drops
If fluid remains in the ear for longer than three months, your childs physician may suggest that small tubes be placed in the ear. This surgical procedure, called myringotomy, involves making a small opening in the eardrum to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure from the middle ear. A small tube is placed in the opening of the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear and to prevent fluid from accumulating. The childs hearing is restored after the fluid is drained. The tubes usually fall out on their own after six to 12 months.
Your childs surgeon may also recommend the removal of the adenoids if they are infected. Removal of the adenoids has shown to help some children with otitis media.
Treatment will depend upon the type of otitis media. Consult your childs physician regarding treatment options.
How Do Dogs Get Ear Infections
There are many causes of ear infections in dogs, but theyre commonly due to bacteria and yeast. These organisms typically live on the surface of normal skin in the ear canal without causing a problem. However, a change in the environment of the ear canal or ongoing inflammation can allow these organisms to overgrow, leading to infection.
Allergies are the most common underlying cause of ear infections in dogs. They often lead to excess wax production in the ear, creating a moist environment that is perfect for bacteria and yeast overgrowth. Excess moisture can also occur due to residual water in the canals after swimming or bathing. Foreign material, ear mites, and excess hair growth in the ear canal are less common causes of infection in dogs.
Ear infections are much more common in dogs than in humans due to the unique shape of the canine ear canal. No matter what the outside of the ear looks like, all dogs have a vertical and horizontal ear canal. These two canals form a J shape, making it harder for wax, water, and debris to exit the canal, resulting in increased moisture and irritation. Because this condition is caused by an overgrowth of the normal bacteria and yeast in your dogs ear canal, ear infections are not contagious between dogs or other pets.
Also Check: Can My Toddler Have An Ear Infection Without A Fever
Treatment Options For Ear Infections And Pain
For relief of ear pain associated with swimmers ear or a middle ear infection,its 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 swimmers ear. You should consult with an expert to treat the cause of the infection.
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.
Also Check: How Does Tinnitus Affect The Brain