Ear Infection Symptoms and Treatments

Before we start discussing what ear infections are and what their symptoms and treatments are, why not get an introduction to the ear. The ear is a structure that is made of three parts, the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The middle ear is connected to the back of the throats and nose via a tube called the Eustachian.
Now getting back to ear infections…most people have had to deal with ear infections at least once in their life be it for themselves or for their kids. Ear infections are very common, especially in kids. When there is an inflammation in the ear, the medical term is ‘otitis’ this occurs when there is presence of bacteria or virus in the ear. There are two basic types of ear infection:

• Otitis Media
• Otitis Externa

Otitis Media
Otitis Media is the infection of the middle ear. It is also called glue ear. This type of infection affects the area behind the eardrum and causes swelling. This type of ear infection is more often found in children and can lead to earaches and fever. Otitis media can affect both ears at the same time. Otitis media is caused when a child has a cold, sore throat or nasal allergy like hay fever, and this affects the Eustachian tube and leads to swelling of the middle ear. This is how otitis media is caused.

Symptoms of Otitis Media

• Fever
• Fluid in ear.
• Dizziness.
• Trouble in hearing.
• Sickness or nausea.
• Earache.

Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is an infection in the outer ear, it is also called swimmers ear. This infection is caused when there is bacteria or fungus in the outer ear. This normally happens due to moisture or water in the ear, hence swimmer’s ear. Otitis externa can come about even because of eczema or use of hairspray and hair color getting into the ear canal.

Symptoms of Otitis Externa

• Itching ear.
• Fluid or discharge in the ear.
• Earache or pain that is intensified upon movement of ear lobe and jaw.
• Hearing is affected.
• Fever.
• Swelling in the ear.

Treatment for Ear Infections
Most of the time people don’t even realize they have ear infections and they get cured on their own. But there are times when these infections require some treatment. There are certain treatment options:

• Rest needs to be taken…. no bothering the ears by trying to balance them or by bending them. Also avoid swimming and allowing water to enter.
• If there is pain in the ear it can be relieved by taking Tylenol, Advil, Motrin every four or six hours on an average.
• Medication with pseudoephedrine can be taken in the form of 30mg tablets, one every 5 or 6 hours for 3 days till the pressure eases up.
• Eardrops like those with neomycin, polymyxin and hydrocortisone can be used.
• In case of discharge in the ear, nose or mouth antibiotics can be used for 5 days till the infection clears up.
• If none of these treatments work you should consult a doctor. And remember it is best to seek medical advice rather than self-diagnosing and self-prescription.