Treatment for Ear Infection

Ear infections can cause a lot of discomfort, including irritability as one of its symptoms. After all, constant pain and pressure in the ear can get annoying and change anyone's mood.

But how does it happen?

Cause of Ear Infection

An ear infection can happen due to bacteria or viruses, specifically Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae. That occurs after blocking the eustachian tubes, which are small tubes connecting the ear to the back of the throat to regulate air and drain fluids. If they get clogged, the liquid builds up to an infection.

Usual reasons why the tubes get blocked include:

• Allergic reactions
• Sinus infections
• Flu
• Colds
• Excessive mucus
• Change in air pressure
• Smoking tobacco

Ear infections are also caused by the adenoids, glands located on the roof of the mouth just behind the nose. Their purpose is to help protect against infections. However, infections can spread from these glands to the eustachian tubes, leading to several symptoms of ear infection.

Symptoms of Ear Infection

People suffering from ear infections feel pressure and pain in their ears. The level of discomfort depends on the severity of the situation. Other symptoms for adults include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Children can show other specific signs of ear infection, like rubbing their ears constantly, crying more than usual, and being in a foul mood. The symptoms last for two to three days. More severe infections can last longer.

Potential Complications of Ear Infection

Ear infections can lead to several complications. While they can heal without direct intervention, leaving them unaddressed may result in other issues, like:

• Loss of hearing
• Delayed development of speech and language in children
• Meningitis, which is the infection of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord
• Mastoiditis, an infection of a bone in the skull
• A ruptured eardrum

Ear Infection Treatment

Ear infections can be treated at home if the symptoms are mild. Here are a few things you can do:

• Apply a warm towel over the affected ear to help ease the pain.
• Take over-the-counter pain relief medicine.
• Do not sleep on the affected ear.
• Use a decongestant like Sudafed.

The symptoms should gradually improve in the next day or two. If they don't, it is time to visit the doctor to get a diagnosis of what to do. The goal is to identify the cause of the infection to prescribe the right antibiotics.

The most severe ear infection treatment is surgery, which involves making an incision on the eardrum so the doctor can fit a small tube. The tube will help drain out the fluids from behind the middle ear. It will stay there for six to twelve months but is designed to fall off afterward. The hole from the incision should naturally heal up.

As soon as you notice your ear infection is not getting any better, get diagnosed immediately. Professional intervention will prevent the condition from getting worse.

Get Treatment for Ear Infections at Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care

Regardless of your symptoms, getting medical attention for ear infections is very important. Symptoms of severe cases include:

1. High fever of over 102 degrees
2. Fluid draining from the ear, containing unknown substances, pus, or blood
3. The person is losing the ability to hear from the affected ear

These are signs that the infection has become dangerous and potentially cause long-term damage.

Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care's emergency room is open 24/7, and urgent care is available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Appointments are unnecessary - walk in, and our healthcare professionals are ready to help at both of our locations.

Navarre - 8888 Navarre Pkwy., Navarre, FL 32566. Call the center at 850-750-5698.

Nine Mile - 9400 University Parkway Suite 101A Pensacola, FL 32514. Call the center at 448-227-4600.

Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care is comprised of board-certified ER-trained physicians and professionally trained ER nurses who deliver quality medical care. Our urgent care and emergency room can effectively treat various medical conditions. From fever to fractures, allergies to abdominal pain, and colds to concussions, we have you covered with on-site labs, CT, X-rays, and ultrasound.