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What Can You Do To Treat An Ear Infection

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What Conditions Cause Swimmers Ear

How to Treat Any Ear Infection Without Antibiotics with Kim Goodman

Conditions that can lead to swimmers ear include:

  • Water that gets trapped in the ear canal, for example from swimming or showering often
  • Loss of ear wax a natural protectant due to too much water entering the ear canal or removing too much wax when cleaning ears
  • Injury to ear caused by putting objects into the ear, such as fingers, pen/pencils, paper clips, hair clips
  • Swimming in polluted water
  • Other skin conditions that affect the ear canal, such as eczema or psoriasis

How Can I Tell If My Child Has An Ear Infection

Most ear infections happen to children before theyve learned how to talk. If your child isnt old enough to say My ear hurts, here are a few things to look for:

  • Tugging or pulling at the ear
  • Fussiness and crying
  • Fever
  • Fluid draining from the ear
  • Clumsiness or problems with balance
  • Trouble hearing or responding to quiet sounds

When To Call The Doctor For An Ear Infection

Some symptoms of an inner ear infection can be the same as a stroke. If you have vomiting, headache, vision changes, fever, weakness in one side of your body, slurred speech or are unable to walk, seek medical care right away.

Infections involving high fever, discharge or bleeding from the ear canal, headache, vomiting, dizziness, loss of hearing, or severe pain should be seen by a doctor. A doctor should see most people with an inner ear infection.

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Adenoids And/or Tonsil Removal

Adenoid removal or adenoid and tonsil removal may help some children who have repeat ear infections or fluid behind the eardrum. Children younger than 4 don’t usually have their adenoids taken out unless they have severe nasal blockage.

As a treatment for chronic ear infections, experts recommend removing adenoids and tonsils only after tubes and antibiotics have failed. Removing adenoids may improve air and fluid flow in nasal passages. This may reduce the chance of fluid collecting in the middle ear, which can lead to infection. When used along with other treatments, removing adenoids can help some children who have repeat ear infections. But taking out the tonsils with the adenoids isn’t very helpful.footnote 4 Tonsils are removed if they are frequently infected. Experts don’t recommend tonsil removal alone as a treatment for ear infections.footnote 5

Where Is The Middle Ear

How To Treat Ear Infection Using 4 Natural Remedies

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.

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Who Should Take Oral Antibiotics For Ear Infections

  • Children without ear tubes should take oral antibiotics for middle-ear infections, especially when they have severe ear pain or high fever.
  • Children with ear tubes should take oral antibiotics if:
  • They are very ill.
  • They have another reason to be on an antibiotic.
  • The infection doesnt go away with eardrops.

Middle Ear Infections In Children

Acute Otitis Media

An inflammation in the middle ear is known as “otitis media.” AOM is a middle ear infection caused by bacteria in the middle ear fluid trapped by a Eustachian tube that is not working well. AOM may develop during or after a cold or the flu. With AOM:

  • Middle ear infections are extremely common in children younger than 3. But they are infrequent in adults.
  • In children, ear infections often recur, particularly if they first develop in early infancy.
  • AOM symptoms improve within 48 to 72 hours with or without antibiotic treatment in most children. There does not appear to be any risks of complications for at least the first 2 to 3 days.
  • Even after symptoms subside, fluid may persist in the middle ear for weeks to months after AOM onset.

Otitis Media with Effusion

OME occurs when fluid, called an effusion, becomes trapped behind the eardrum in one or both ears. In chronic and severe cases, the fluid is very sticky and is commonly called “glue ear.” With OME:

  • Fluid is present. But there is no infection.
  • There is usually no pain. Sometimes the only clue that it is present is a feeling of stuffiness in the ears, which can feel like “being under water.”
  • Hearing may be temporarily impaired in children. But most children will not have long-term hearing loss.

Chronic Otitis Media

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Cold And Allergy Remedies

Recent research has questioned the general safety of cough and cold products for children. They are currently banned for use in children under age 4 years. The American College of Chest Physicians recommends against the use of nonprescription cough and cold medicines in children age 14 years and younger.

How To Use Ear Drops

Hydrogen Peroxide for Ear Infections

Prior to using ear drops, you should always read the instructions provided to you with your prescription. You can also speak to your pharmacist or doctor for advice on using them. The following instructions will help you use ear drops correctly.

For adults:

  • Lie down on a flat surface with a folded towel beneath your head and the affected ear facing the ceiling.
  • Pull your earlobe up to straighten out the ear canal.
  • Administer the appropriate number of drops into the ear.
  • Push the ear flap gently to help ease the drops into the ear.
  • Remain in this position for up to two minutes to ensure that the ear canal is fully coated with medicine.

For children:

  • Have the child lie on the floor or bed with a towel beneath their head and their affected ear facing the ceiling.
  • Hold their head still if they are squirming or fidgeting.
  • Pull the earlobe out and down to straighten their ear canal..
  • Administer the recommended number of drops
  • Press on their ear flap or place a cotton ball gently into the ear and let it remain in position for several minutes to ensure that the medication coats the inside of their ear.

The process for infants is similar to children, but you can also cradle your infant while you administer the drops in an appropriate position that allows the medication to go into their ear properly.

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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.

Why Are Children More Likely Than Adults To Get Ear Infections

There are several reasons why children are more likely than adults to get ear infections.

Eustachian tubes are smaller and more level in children than they are in adults. This makes it difficult for fluid to drain out of the ear, even under normal conditions. If the eustachian tubes are swollen or blocked with mucus due to a cold or other respiratory illness, fluid may not be able to drain.

A childs immune system isnt as effective as an adults because its still developing. This makes it harder for children to fight infections.

As part of the immune system, the adenoids respond to bacteria passing through the nose and mouth. Sometimes bacteria get trapped in the adenoids, causing a chronic infection that can then pass on to the eustachian tubes and the middle ear.

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Cold Or Warm Compresses

People often use ice packs or warm compresses, like a heating pad or damp washcloth, to relieve pain. The same can be done for ear pain. This method is safe for both children and adults.

Place the ice pack or warm compress over the ear and alternate between warm and cold after 10 minutes. If you prefer either cold or warm, you can use just one compress.

Symptoms Of Acute Otitis Media

5 Ways to Treat Ear Infections at Home

Ear pain is the most common symptom of ear infections. The ear pain associated with acute otitis media usually comes on very suddenly.

Babies and young children who haven’t yet learned to speak may express ear pain in various ways including:

  • Pulling, tugging, rubbing, or holding the ear
  • Excessive crying, especially when feeding
  • Irritability, fussiness, and other changes in behavior
  • Difficulty sleeping

Other symptoms associated with ear infections include:

  • Fluid discharge from ear
  • Fever
  • Cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, or coughing

If the ear infection is severe, the tympanic membrane may rupture, causing the pus to drain from the ear. Pus in the ear may cause hearing loss in some children.

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What Are The Symptoms

The main symptom is an earache. It can be mild, or it can hurt a lot. Babies and young children may be fussy. They may pull at their ears and cry. They may have trouble sleeping. They may also have a fever.

You may see thick, yellow fluid coming from their ears. This happens when the infection has caused the eardrum to burst and the fluid flows out. This isn’t serious and usually makes the pain go away. The eardrum usually heals on its own.

When fluid builds up but doesn’t get infected, children often say that their ears just feel plugged. They may have trouble hearing, but their hearing usually returns to normal after the fluid is gone. It may take weeks for the fluid to drain away.

When Should I Talk To A Doctor About An Ear Infection

If the ear infection symptoms dont improve within a few days, make a primary care appointment. Other signs that its time to see a doctor include:

  • Ear pain that lasts more than two days
  • Fluid draining from the ear
  • Changes or loss of hearing
  • Fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Frequent or recurrent ear infections

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Remedies And Treatments For Ear Infections

Most home remedies for ear infections are focused on pain relief. Itâs usually possible to manage ear infection pain at home while waiting for the infection to go away. Itâs also important to monitor the infection closely.

Pain Relief

One popular method to relieve ear pain is putting a hot or cold compress, like a wet washcloth, on the ear. Make sure the compress is not too hot or too cold. You can try both temperatures to see if one helps more.

Pain reliever medicines like acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen can also help relieve ear pain. Follow the dosing directions on the label for yourself or your child.

Several over-the-counter ear drops are available as well. Most are homeopathic, meaning they are made from natural ingredients. Several studies have shown homeopathic medicines relieve pain and help ear infections heal more quickly.

Sleeping position can also affect your ear infection healing time. Sleeping while sitting up can help drain the fluid from your ear. This may help to relieve pressure and reduce pain.

Lastly, the natural substance xylitol might help prevent ear infections in children. Xylitol can be found in chewing gums or lozenges, and itâs naturally found in fruit and vegetable fibers. Many studies have shown success in preventing ear infections using xylitol.

Prevention

There are also several options you can take to avoid ear infections for yourself or your child. These include:

In addition, vitamin D and probiotics both increase immunity.

What Type Of Ear Infection Is It

How To Treat Outer Ear Infections

There are two common types of ear infections:

  • Otitis media: This ear infection affects the middle ear . Middle ear infections are common in kids and tend to cause trouble hearing, fevers, and pain without much outward signs such as ear drainage or swelling.
  • Otitis externa: This infection affects the ear canal, and is commonly known as swimmers ear because water exposure is a risk factor for it. Swimmers ear is painful, too, and tends to have more visible signs such as a swollen ear canal or pus drainage.

There are several home remedies for earaches, says Dr. Nguyen-Huynh. Try these for the first two or three days if symptoms are mild.

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Do Only New Ear Piercings Get Infected

If youve had pierced ears for eons, youre not totally off the hook, but you are at a lowered risk of just randomly developing an infection. Infections are most likely to occur during the first week following the piercing, but can arise later on, Dr. Kaplan says.

Infection symptoms wonât pop up the moment your piercing is exposed to bacteria. âSurprisingly, piercing infections do not typically happen until three to seven days after the initial piercing, sometimes more,â says Leila Mankarious, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. âBacteria need time to proliferate.â

What Are Other Causes Of Ear Pain

Other causes of ear pain include:

  • A sore throat.
  • Teeth coming in in a baby.
  • An infection of the lining of the ear canal. This is also called swimmers ear.
  • Pressure build up in the middle ear caused by allergies and colds.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/16/2020.

References

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Garlic May Interact With Some Medications

Garlic supplements should not be taken with medications that are transported by P-gp. This includes:

  • Colchicine
  • Tacrolimus
  • Verapamil

Because of the increased risk of bleeding associated with garlic supplements, talk to your healthcare provider about their use if you take an anticoagulant such as warfarin or if you need surgery.

Garlic supplements may interfere with the effectiveness of saquinavir and other medications, dietary herbs, or supplements.

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, including garlic.

When Should I Return To My Healthcare Provider For A Follow

What Helps With Ear Infections

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.

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Apply A Topical Antibiotic Ointment

Applying a topical antibiotic ointment recommended by a dermatologist can be a great way to help heal the infected area. After cleaning, gently pat the area dry and pat a small amount of the ointment over the infected area.

If the piercing is hot to the touch and painful, you can cleanse by applying a warm-water compress. You can do this right at home by taking a washcloth, running it under warm water, and then applying directly to the infected site. Just make sure that the cloth is not burning hot. Keep the compress on for 20-30 minutes and repeat as necessary. âIts healed when the skin returns to normal color and is no longer painful or swollen and there is no longer any yellow discharge,â says Zalka.

How Do Ear Infections Happen

A middle ear infection usually happens because of swelling in one or both of the eustachian tubes . The tubes let mucus drain from the middle ear into the throat.

A cold, throat infection, acid reflux, or allergies can make the eustachian tubes swell. This blocks the mucus from draining. Then, or grow in the mucus and make pus, which builds up in the middle ear.

When doctors refer to an ear infection, they usually mean otitis media rather than swimmer’s ear . Otitis media with effusion is when noninfected fluid builds up in the ear. It might not cause symptoms, but in some kids, the fluid creates a sensation of ear fullness or “popping.”

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Five Tips For Ear Infection Treatment At Home

Even when antibiotics are prescribed, they wont take effect for 24 to 48 hours. Your child need not suffer needlessly. There are simple, effective ways to reduce your childs discomfort and pain during an ear infection.

1. Fever and pain medicine: based it on age, consult with doctor

Over-the-counter medications can help reduce pain and fever in your child. Based it on age and weight and consult with your pediatrician if necessary.

Read labels and instructions carefully when giving fever-reducing medications. Its very important to follow instructions and give the appropriate dosage according to your childs weight and age, says Dr. Hutton.

  • For children younger than 6 months, give only acetaminophen, such as Tylenol.
  • For children older than 6 months, you may give also give an ibuprofen product, such as Advil, for fever and pain.
  • Infants younger than 3 months old who have a fever need immediate medical attention even if they appear well and show no other signs of being ill.
  • Do not give aspirin to children because it can cause Reyes syndrome, a rare but very serious illness that harms the liver and brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

2. Place a cold pack or warm compress over your childs ear

Put a cold wet washcloth on the outer ear for 20 minutes to help with pain until the pain medicine starts to work.

3. Keep child hydrated

Make sure to keep your child well hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.

4. Elevate your childs head

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