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Ear infections are common and usually go away on their own after a few days, even without medical treatment. Learn about causes and treatment
Ear infections are common and usually go away on their own after a few days, even without medical treatment.
While most common in children, ear infections can occur in adults as well and cause pain due to fluid buildup in the ear.
The most common type of ear infection is middle ear infection or otitis media, although infections can also occur in the outer and inner ear due to bacteria or viruses. Ear infections can be acute, meaning it occurs over a short period of time, or chronic, meaning it occurs over a long period of time.
If your ear infection is associated with severe pain, fever, ear discharge, consult a doctor. Ear infections in infants under 6 months of age require medical attention.
What causes ear infections?
The Eustachian tube runs from the middle of each ear to the back of the throat, regulating air pressure and draining fluid in the middle ear. Blockages can cause fluid to build up and lead to infection.
Ear infections are common in infants and children because their Eustachian tubes can easily get clogged. Bottle-fed infants have a higher incidence of ear infections than those who are breastfed.
Common causes of ear infections include:
- Allergies
- Colds and sinus infections
- Infected or overgrown adenoids (lymph tissue behind the nose)
- Tobacco smoke
Risk factors for ear infections include:
- Family history of ear infections
- Changes in altitude or climate
- Cold weather
- Exposure to smoke
- Pacifier use
- Recent upper respiratory tract infection
- Birth defect, including Eustachian tube function
What are signs and symptoms of ear infections?
Symptoms of an ear infection in infants include:
- Refusal to feed
- Irritability
- Inconsolable crying
- Fever
- Trouble sleeping
Symptoms seen in older children or adults include:
- Ear pain
- Fullness in the ear
- Hearing loss in the affected ear
- Fluid drainage from the ear
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Lethargy
- Dizziness or difficulty balancing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- General feeling of being ill
- Loss of appetite
Sudden drainage of yellowish or greenish fluid from the ear may indicate a perforated or ruptured eardrum.
How are ear infections diagnosed?
After taking a complete medical history and asking about symptoms, doctors may examine the ears using an instrument called an otoscope, which can show:
- Areas of marked redness
- Bulging of the tympanic membrane
- Ear discharge
- Air bubbles or fluid behind the tympanic membrane
- Hole (perforation) in the eardrum
Doctors may advise a hearing test if the patient has a history of ear infection.
How are ear infections treated?
Treatment depends on the patient’s age, severity of symptoms, and the cause of the infection. Some ear infections clear on their own without any medical treatment. Pain relief and rest is often all that is needed. Home remedies include:
- Applying a warm compress to the affected ear
- Taking over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen; aspirin should be avoided in children
If there is no improvement or if symptoms get worse, consult your doctor to determine whether antibiotics are needed. Ear drops should be avoided unless eardrum perforation has been ruled out.
If the infection does not go away with medical treatment, your doctor may recommend a procedure in which a small tube is inserted into the eardrum that allows fluids to drain more easily.