How To Treat An External Ear Infection

What Is The Treatment For Outer Ear Pain And Swelling

Initially, your doctor will clean the affected ear and prescribe ear drops and recommend you follow simple self-care measures. Further treatment depends on the severity and cause of the infection or inflammation. For example, specific treatments for skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema may be prescribed.

Natural Home Remedies For Ear Infection

Armed with facts and my instincts, I have pursued natural and holistic healthcare and remedies for my family for over a decade now.

Weve treated strep throat, tummy bugs, upper respiratory illness, urinary tract infections, and ear infections with natural home remedies such as herbs, essential oils, homeopathy, and using food as medicine.

One day, the facts and my instincts may very well tell me that its time to trust a medical doctor with the care of someone in my family or myself in which case, Ill listen to both!

Ear infections are one of the easiest maladies to treat naturally and at home, however.

If you suspect an ear infection and still feel a trip to the doctor is necessary, by all means, go! But before you fill that prescription for antibiotics for yourself or your child, give some proven, natural home remedies for ear infection a try.

Here are five natural, no-antibiotic treatments for ear infections that work:

Fungal Ear Infection Causes Treatment And Prevention

• Post author:Medical Practitioner

Every year, ear infections affect millions of children and adults. Ear infections can make our ears feel sore, itchy and even give us a fever. There are several different types of ear infections, but the most common is a fungal infection.

In this article, well take a look at what fungal ear infections are, why they occur, and how to treat them.

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Symptoms And Signs Of Acute External Otitis

Patients with external otitis have pain and drainage. Sometimes, a foul-smelling discharge and hearing loss occur if the canal becomes swollen or filled with purulent debris. Exquisite tenderness accompanies traction of the pinna or pressure over the tragus. Otoscopic examination is painful and difficult to conduct. It shows the ear canal to be red, swollen, and littered with moist, purulent debris and desquamated epithelium.

Otomycosis is more pruritic than painful, and patients also complain of aural fullness. Otomycosis caused by A. niger usually manifests with grayish black or yellow dots surrounded by a cottonlike material . Infection caused by C. albicans does not show any visible fungi but usually contains a thickened, creamy white exudate, which can be accompanied by spores that have a velvety appearance.

Furuncles cause severe pain and may drain sanguineous, purulent material. They appear as a focal, erythematous swelling .

What Causes A Fungal Ear Infection

Earwax protects the lining of the ear from fungus so anything that reduces the amount of wax will allow a fungal infection to take hold. Eczema of the skin inside the ear can be another risk factor.

The outside temperature plays a significant part. Fungi grow faster in the heat, so it’s more common in warmer climates. In the UK it occurs more often in summer than in winter.

9 out of 10 fungal infections are due to a fungus belonging to the Aspergillus species and the rest are caused by a fungus of the Candida species.

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How Can I Prevent Otitis Externa

There are several things that will help prevent otitis externa from occurring in the first place, from returning after treatment, or from becoming chronic. It’s particularly important to try to do these if you know you are prone to the condition:

Don’t clean your ear canal with cotton buds. You may damage and irritate the inflamed skin and also push wax further into the ear. Wax is designed to come out by itself. Just clean the outside of the ear with a cloth when any discharge appears. Don’t scratch or poke the ear canal with anything, as you may scratch the delicate lining.

Keep your ears dry. If water gets in there, tip it out as soon as possible. You can also help dry your ears with the low heat setting of a hairdryer. When you swim try wearing a tightly fitting cap that covers the ears. Some swimmers use silicone rubber earplugs but you should only use them if they do not irritate the skin in your ear canal. When you come out of the pool do your best to tip the water out of each ear. Jumping up and down before you do so may help free it.

Try not to let soap or shampoo get into your ear canal. If you are prone to otitis externa you can do this when you have a shower, by placing a piece of cotton wool coated in soft white paraffin into the outer ear.

How To Prevent Swimmer’s Ear

The following are some hints to help prevent swimmer’s ear:

• Use ear plugs for swimming or bathing.

• Do not aggressively clean your child’s ear canal.

Johns Hopkins Pediatric Otolaryngology

Our pediatric otolaryngologists are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for children with ear, nose, and throat conditions. As part of the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, you have access to all the specialized resources of a children’s hospital. Your child will also benefit from experts who use advanced techniques to treat both common and rare conditions.

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Who Is At Risk For An Outer Ear Infection

Swimming is the biggest risk factor for otitis externa, especially swimming in water with high levels of bacteria. Pools that are adequately chlorinated are less likely to spread bacteria.

Showering or cleaning your ears too frequently can also leave the ears open to infection. The narrower the ear canal, the more likely it is that water will be trapped inside. Childrens ear canals are typically narrower than adult ear canals.

The use of headphones or a hearing aid, as well as skin allergies, eczema, and skin irritation from hair products also increase the risk of developing an outer ear infection.

Swimmers ear, itself, is not contagious.

Causes Of This Condition

A fungus causes otomycosis. There are nearly 60 different species of fungi that may be responsible for this infection. Common fungi include Aspergillus and Candida. Sometimes bacteria can combine with the fungi and make the infection more complicated.

Otomycosis is more common in tropical and warm regions because fungi can grow better in these areas. This infection is also more common during the summer months. Fungi need moisture and warmth to grow.

People who swim in contaminated water are more likely to get otomycosis. Even swimming or surfing in clean water can increase the risk.

In addition, people who have weakened immune systems, trauma or injuries in the ear, eczema, or other chronic skin problems are at a higher risk of getting this type of infection.

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How Is A Fungal Ear Infection Diagnosed

It you’ve just come back from SCUBA diving in Hawaii, your doctor may well suspect a fungal cause for your ear infection. Otherwise, because a fungal infection looks just like an infection from germs , it’s unlikely to be the first thing your doctor thinks of. Most likely, a fungal infection will only be suspected if your infection does not improve with antibiotic drops prescribed for a bacterial infection.

How To Get Rid Of Ear Infection

While some cases require medical attention, most ear infections clear on their own. Rest and some home remedies will usually do the trick.

1. Holding a Warm Piece of Cloth over the Ear

Applying a warm compress relieves pain. You can do this in the following ways:

• Dip a piece of cloth in warm water, drain and hold it over the affected ear.
• Microwave a clean sock filled with either rice or beans for about 25 seconds and hold it on the ear.
• Alternatively, do the same with one cup of salt. Heat some salt and put it in a bean bag. Place it on the infected ear while lying down making sure that the temperature is not too high to make you uncomfortable. The heated salt will draw out any fluid from the infected ear and subsequently reduce pain and swelling.
• Do this for 10-15 minutes every day until the pain subsides.

2. Garlic

Garlic is an effective natural remedy for ear infection. It has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. You can use garlic in any of the following ways:

• Start by eating one or two cloves of fresh garlic every day to boost immunity and fight the infection.
• Crush a few cloves of boiled cloves add some salt before placing them in a clean piece of cloth and putting it on the affected ear.
• Fry some cloves of garlic in mustard oil until they are dark. Strain and leave to cool before putting a few drops into the affected ear using a dropper.

3. Olive Oil

You may substitute white vinegar for ACV if thats what you have.

5. Tea Tree Oil

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How To Get Rid Of An Earache Fast

It doesnt matter how old you are earaches hurt. And since most earaches are not the result of a bacterial infection, antibiotics wont help get you better.

But you dont have to take a wait-and-see approach.

There are several earache treatment methods that can help to reduce your symptoms, including the pain and swelling youre experiencing.

Ear Infections In Dogs

If you have ever had an ear infection, you know just how miserable they can be.

These painful infections can not only impact our dogs as well, but they are actually quite common among the canine population.

The shape of a dogs ear canal makes them more prone to the development of ear infections, making this a common factor behind many vet visits.

In this article we will go into the details of ear infections in our canine companions, and help you better understand what this diagnosis means for your pup.

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Anatomy Of An Ear Infection

The ear is divided into the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Infection can occur in any of these areas, but bacterial infections of the inner ear are extremely rare.

Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause infections in the ear. Infections can be brought on by an illness, such as a cold or allergies.

Ear infections generally occur when bacteria, viruses, or fungi gain entry into one of the three areas of the ear and cause infection.

Fungal Ear Infection Symptoms

A fungal infection in your ear canal will generally result in one or more of the following symptoms:

• Painful or itchy ears

• Feeling dizzy or unbalanced

If your baby is less than 2 years old, watch out for these symptoms:

• Fever: An ear infection may cause a mild fever or no fever at all.

• Pain or fussiness: A baby with an ear infection may rub at his ears, cry inconsolably or be unusually fussy.

• Redness or swelling: The outside of the pinna may appear red and swollen.

• Sleep problems: A baby with an ear infection might be sleeping fitfully because hes uncomfortable.

If you have any of these symptoms, visit your doctor to determine if you have a fungal ear infection and what treatment options are available.

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What Does Perichondritis Look Like

A painful, swollen, red ear is the most common symptom. At first, the infection will look like a skin infection, but it quickly worsens and involves the perichondrium. The redness usually surrounds an area of injury, such as a cut or scrape. There may also be fever.

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Anatomy And Physiology Of The External Auditory Canal

• References

The unique structure of the external auditory canal contributes to the development of otitis externa . It is the only skin-lined cul-de-sac in the human body. The external auditory canal is warm, dark and prone to becoming moist, making it an excellent environment for bacterial and fungal growth. The skin is very thin and the lateral third overlies cartilage, while the rest has a base of bone. The canal is easily traumatized. The exit of debris, secretions and foreign bodies is impeded by a curve at the junction of the cartilage and bone. The presence of hair, especially the thicker hair common in older men, can be a further impediment.

FIGURE 1

Anatomy of the external auditory canal. The outer third of the canal is cartilaginous with hair follicles and sebaceous and ceruminous glands.

FIGURE 1

Anatomy of the external auditory canal. The outer third of the canal is cartilaginous with hair follicles and sebaceous and ceruminous glands.

When these defenses fail or when the epithelium of the external auditory canal is damaged, otitis externa results. There are many precipitants of this infection , but the most common is excessive moisture that elevates the pH and removes the cerumen. Once the protective cerumen is removed, keratin debris absorbs the water, which creates a nourishing medium for bacterial growth.

The external auditory canal may be dry-mopped to remove debris.

FIGURE 2

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What Natural Or Home Remedies Soothe And Provide Earache Pain Relief

Earaches may often be treated at home. The goal is to decrease inflammation and pain.

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How To Treat Ear Infection At Home Naturally Effective Remedies & Natural Techniques You Should Know

An ear infection is caused by viruses and bacteria which affect your middle ear. It is said that children will most be affected by ear infection. If ear infection results in buildup of fluids or inflammation, it will cause the pain in your ear. The symptoms of ear infection include difficulty sleeping, ear pain, frequent crying, difficulty hearing, loss of balance, buildup of fluid, loss of appetite, fever. This disease is viral or bacterial infection however, some illness such as flu, cold, allergies, sore throat,and inflammation of nasal passages will increase the risk of developing ear infection. If this disease is not treated soon, it will lead to some serious problems such as impaired hearing, speech, social or developmental delays in toddlers and infants, tearing of the eardrum. Moreover, ear infection will easily spread to other parts and tissues in your body such as bone and skull. It is important to see the doctor immediately when you see the first signs and symptoms of ear infection. The doctor will suggest you several suitable treatments that help you to cure ear infection. The treatments are addressing the causes and monitoring the pain. In severe cases, antibiotic medication may be required. However, the good news is that mild ear infection can be cured with home remedies and effective techniques on how to treat ear infection at home naturally. If you want to know more, please read this article on vkool.com.

7. Tea Tree Oil

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Signs Causes Treatment And Prevention

The majority of this article is written by a certified veterinarian.

A dog ear infection can put your pup in a lot of pain. Dogs are just as prone to ear infections as humans, but some breeds are more likely to suffer from this problem.

Overall, up to 20% of dogs are known to have had some form of ear infection. Ear problems are especially common in dogs with floppy ears for example, the Cocker Spaniel.

As dog owners, it is best if we learn how to identify and treat an ear infection in our dogs. This A-to-Z guide will cover how to deal with dog ear infections and how to prevent another one.

How Long Does An Ear Infection Last

An ear infection can last for several days to weeks. This can depend on the severity of the infection and whether there are any complications such as fluid build-up, which may be treated with antibiotics.

If your symptoms dont improve within two weeks after beginning treatment, its important to contact your doctor so they can determine the next steps to take.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Outer Ear Infections