When To See A Doctor About An Earache
Dr. Nguyen-Huynh recommends seeing a doctor if:
- Yoursymptoms remain after twoor three days, even if youve tried over-the-counter or home remedies.
- Yourear is very painful, oryou have other symptoms that bother you.
Other common conditions, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction , can masquerade as earache infections. TMJ causes ear pain because the ear canal and the jaw joint share a nerve. If you have ear pain along with trouble chewing, talking or yawning, then you should see a dentist or TMJ expert to be sure youre treating the right condition, notes Dr. Nguyen-Huynh.
The good news? Hot and cold compresses and OTC pain relievers can also help relieve TMJ pain until you sort things out.
Avoid Food That Trigger Yeast Growth
Keep a lookout on the food that you have given to your dog. Avoid any excessive grain or sugar in his diet.
It has been proven that excessive sugar helps to feed on yeast present in your dogs body and make them overgrowth, leading to yeast buildup in his ears.
Make sure that your dogs diet is grain-FREE, as grain contains natural sugars that promote yeast growth.
You can also add RAW PLAIN yogurt into your dogs diet. The probiotics present in the yogurt can help to combat yeast infection in dogs.
Do not go for any flavored yogurt as they are high in sugar content and will promote the growth of yeast.
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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Are There Any Home Remedies For Acute Middle Ear Infection
However, there are limited studies suggesting the benefits of these measures over accepted and recommended treatments.
- Both oral and topical analgesics are effective in controlling the pain associated with ear infections, but the use of decongestants or antihistamines has not been demonstrated to improve symptoms or speed the resolution of acute otitis media.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Middle
Common symptoms of a middle-ear infection in adults are:
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Pain in 1 or both ears
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Drainage from the ear
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Sore throat
You may also have a fever. Rarely, your balance can be affected.
These symptoms may be the same as for other conditions. Its important totalk with your health care provider if you think you have a middle-earinfection. If you have a high fever, severe pain behind your ear, orparalysis in your face, see your provider as soon as you can.
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Can You Prevent Ear Infections
Because colds are very infectious and easily spread among children, it can be very hard to prevent your child from getting sick. However, there are risk factors you can control:
- Limit your childs exposure to secondhand smoke
- Make sure your childand youare vaccinated against the flu every year
- Follow good hygiene habits, like frequent handwashing and using hand sanitizer
- Teach your child to cough into her elbow, not her hands
- Wear swim ear plugs when swimming
Witch Hazel With Aloe Vera
With witch hazels astringent properties, you can easily remove the waxy debris from your dogs inflamed ears and the anti-inflammatory agents in aloe vera offer an additional level of healing protection.
You can either get a ready make solution such as Thayers witch hazel aloe vera formula or DIY the mixture.
If you are thinking of DIY, make sure that you get a high quality witch hazel with an alcohol content of not more than 20%.
Mix half cup of witch hazel with water and add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel. Stir well to mix the solution.
This is how you can apply the mixture for your dog:
1. Pour some solution in a bowl, and draw about 10 ml with a syringe.
2. Hold the syringe at the base of your dogs ear and aim at the ear canal by tilting his ear back.
3. Release the solution from the syringe and make sure the fluid moves through his ear canal by giving him a good squirt and rubbing the base of his ear really well.
4. Then make use of a cotton swab to wipe out any excessive fluid and debris from his ears.
5. Continue using a cotton swab to clean up his ear canal till there is no more wax debris on the swab when you do the further cleaning.
6. You may need to use up to three syringes for a complete cleanup.
It is common for yeast to cause these dog ear infections, so you will want to apply remedies that can reduce inflammation and also smooth the inflamed ear canal.
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Ear Infections And Kids Anatomy
Its their anatomy that makes them particularly susceptible.
Older children and adults have a more efficient system for clearing colds. The fluid that builds up in the ear during and after an upper respiratory illness drains down the Eustachian tube, the canal that links the ear to the nose and throat.
In children younger than age 7, the Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontally positioned, so the fluid takes longer to drain. The build-up can press on the eardrum, causing pain that is especially noticeable to kids when they lay down, breastfeed or suck on a bottle.
Symptoms Of Inner Ear Infection
Since the inner ear plays key roles in both hearing and balance, any issues with these senses could be linked to an infection in this area. Infections in other parts of the ear are less likely to affect your hearing or balance, but the other symptoms can be similar.
Possible signs of an inner ear infection or inflammation include:
- Vertigo, a sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving around even when everything is still
- Having trouble balancing or walking normally
- Dizziness
- Feeling like the ear is full or blocked
- Tinnitus or ringing in your ears
- Earache
- Headaches
- Fluid or pus coming from your ear
Inner ear infections can also be linked to other symptoms, depending on the source of the infection. For example, if the infection spread to the inner ear from your airways, you might also have a runny nose. In some cases, these other symptoms might be fading when the problems in your inner ear begin, because the original infection might have been eliminated. You could also have more generalised symptoms of infection, such as a fever.
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Treating The Infection At Home
As long as your infection is minor, you may be able to take care of it at home. If youve had a cartilage piercing and it seems infected, seek medical treatment. These types of infections are harder to treat and may require oral antibiotics. Significant infections of the cartilage can require hospitalization.
Follow these steps to take care of a minor piercing infection:
After the infection appears to have cleared, continue this cleaning regimen twice a day until the piercing is totally healed. Remember, an earlobe piercing can take six to eight weeks to heal. Routine care is important during that time.
Usually, a minor infection of an ear piercing can be treated successfully at home. But if any of the following symptoms occur, seek medical attention:
- The earring doesnt move.
- The earring clasp becomes embedded in your skin.
- The infection doesnt improve with home treatment within two days.
- You develop a fever.
What Are The Causes Of My Dog’s Ear Infections
Several factors can predispose your dog to developing ear infections, such as genetics, lifestyle and sensitivity to allergens.
Some dog breeds, e.g. those with droopy ears, are at higher risk of developing ear infections, as these ears trap moisture.
A dog who lives in a very rainy environment, or who loves to bathe, will also develop more ear infections, for the same reason as mentioned above.
Humidity is the number one enemy of a dogs ears!
A dog with allergies is also prone to getting more ear infections, as the immune system is busy fighting allergens.
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Causes Of Middle Ear Infections
Infections may be caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral infections will not respond to an antibiotic, and clear up without treatment.
Most middle ear infections occur when an infection such as a cold , leads to a build-up of mucus in the middle ear.
This causes the Eustachian tube to become swollen or blocked.
This means mucus cant drain away properly. This makes it easier for an infection to spread into the middle ear.
An enlarged adenoid can also block the Eustachian tube. The adenoid can be removed if it causes persistent or frequent ear infections.
Younger children are particularly vulnerable to middle ear infections as:
- the Eustachian tube is smaller in children than in adults
- a childs adenoids are much larger than an adults
Certain conditions can also increase the risk of middle ear infections, including:
- having a cleft palate a type of birth defect where a child has a split in the roof of their mouth
- having Downs syndrome
Dog Ear Infections: Natural Remedies That Work
Does your dog have itchy, gunky, smelly or even painful ears that dont seem to get better? Youre not alone. Dog ear infections are one of the main reasons people take their dogs to the vet.
Heres some information to help you fix your dogs ear infections for good especially if she gets recurrent ear infections,
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What Is An Ear Infection
An ear infection of the middle ear, medically known as acute otitis media, can be caused by a bacteria or virus. Most often, ear infections occur in the middle ear, which is the air-filled space between the eardrum and the oval window of the ear. The middle ear is responsible for transmitting sound from the outer ear to the inner ear.
In addition to a middle ear infection, its also possible to have an outer ear infection like swimmers ear or an inner ear infection. Labyrinthitis is a serious inner ear infection that affects hearing and balance. People with labyrinthitis often experience vertigo and some hearing loss.
If a middle ear infection is bacterial, its most likely the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae causing the infection. A virus can cause also cause ear infections. A a cold or allergies can cause congestion that blocks the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. This congestion can lead to a buildup of fluid and pressure and provides an environment for bacteria or viruses that have traveled up the Eustachian tube into the middle ear to flourish, resulting in an ear infection.
Even the CDC recommends breast-feeding children exclusively for the first six months of their lives and continuing until they are at least 1 year old. Injury to the ear, climate changes, altitude changes, pacifier use, family history of ear infections, and exposure to cigarette smoke are other risk factors.
Ear Infection Symptoms Treatment
Middle ear infection is a bacterial or viral infection that may cause earache, temporary hearing loss, and fluid discharge. A middle ear infection that does not clear up on its own may require treatment with antibiotics.
Middle ear infections occur mainly in early childhood, although older children and adults also get these kinds of infection. The incidence of acute ear infection in New Zealand children was recently estimated at 27%. A complication associated with middle ear infections is the retention of fluid, causing “glue ear”. Children should always be taken to a doctor if they have earache.
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Causes Of Ear Yeast Infections In Dogs
There are several causes of ear yeast infections in dogs. Some of the most common causes include:
- Allergies – If a dog has an allergy to something in the environment or a food then a yeast overgrowth may occur in the ear. The body reacts to the allergen with inflammation, and this in turn can cause the yeast to proliferate in the ear.
- Ear mites – Ear mites, which feed off of a dog’s ear wax, can cause irritation and inflammation in the ear. This can result in an overgrowth of yeast.
- Moisture – An ear canal is a warm place, and yeast like to grow in warm, moist environments. If water enters the ear canal and the ears do not properly dry out, yeast will reproduce and cause an infection. This often occurs after a dog gets a bath or goes swimming.
- Ear deformities – Some dogs are born with abnormal ear canals or excessive ear tissue. Other dogs will develop ear issues over time due to trauma, recurrent infections, or other things. These deformities usually make it difficult for an ear to stay dry and instead trap moisture that helps to create an environment for yeast to grow in.
- Tumors – Some tumors in the ear block the opening to the ear canal. This causes excessive heat and moisture to build up and encourages an overgrowth of yeast.
Some hormonal changes, antibiotic use, and other skin issues may also cause ear yeast infections in dogs.
What Are Some Home Remedies For Ear Infections
Not a lot of evidence exists to support these treatments, so its always a good idea to consult your doctor before trying any of them.
Not a lot of evidence exists to support these treatments, so its always a good idea to consult your doctor before trying any of them.
Ear infections can be painful. Sometimes they cause a persistent dull pain other times a sharp burning feeling comes and goes. Most of the time, theyre not anything to worry about. Except that youll want the pain to cease.
Here is an overview of traditional approaches to treatment, plus everything you need to know about at-home remedies.
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What You Need To Know About Ear Infections
Ear infections are more severe if they are internal, and less severe if they are external. Failure to treat ear infections can lead to hearing loss , dizziness, and problems with activities involving hearing and balance.
- Otitis externa or external ear inflammation is characterized by pus, pain, redness and temporary hearing loss. It is usually caused by bacteria, or to a lesser extent by fungi and viruses.
- Otitis media or otitis media is common in children, and its symptoms include fever, pain, irritability, partial hearing loss, and loss of appetite. This happens when the space in the middle ear is clogged with fluid and mucus. Some people are more prone to this type of ear infection, and the condition can become chronic.
- Internal or internal otitis can cause symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting and loss of balance. This happens when the inner part of the ear becomes inflamed. This is not very common, but the symptoms are intense.
Joy Victory Managing Editor Healthy Hearing
Joy Victory has extensive experience editing consumer health information. Her training in particular has focused on how to best communicate evidence-based medical guidelines and clinical trial results to the public. She strives to make health content accurate, accessible and engaging to the public.Read more about Joy.
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Consider Tea Tree Oil
A second good natural remedy for ear infections, both in adults and children, is tea tree oil. This woody scented essential oil is used for a variety of reasons because of its antiseptic benefits. In fact, its been one of those herbal remedies for infections and wounds throughout the centuries around the world. Its still used in Eastern medicine, even today.
Dont put the essential oil directly into the ear. There are some people allergic to this, and it can cause damage to the ear. You want to apply it around the ear instead.
Dilute the essential oil instead of applying directly to the skin. Use coconut oil for the best results, as coconut oil also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Whatever the reason for the infection, you will cure it with this method.
The benefit of tea tree oil is that you can use it with a perforated ear drum since youre not applying it into the ear. Massage it into the skin for the best results.
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Articles On Ear Infection Treatments
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.
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