Ear infections are among the most painful, irritating conditions a person
can have – whether young or old. Although ear infections are quite
common (affecting 5 out of 6 children before they are 3 years old), this
doesn’t mean they are any easier to deal with. In most cases, ear
infections occur within the middle ear or the space behind the eardrum
where the vibrating bones are located. Medically speaking, this specific
type of ear infection is referred to as otitis media and is caused by
either a bacteria or virus. There are other types of infections that can
occur within the ear canal, but these are far less common. The most common
of these inner ear canal infections is swimmer’s ear, which gets
its name because it most commonly occurs after swimming.
What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Infection?
Ear infections are more
common among children than adults, but both groups are susceptible. If you get an ear infection as an adult,
be sure to pay close attention to your symptoms and come into our urgent
care center if you are not improving. Whereas childhood ear infections
are usually minor and clear up in a matter of days, adult ear infections
are often the sign of something more serious.
Let’s now take a look at some of the most common symptoms of the
different types of ear infections:
-
Inner Ear Infection – If you have an inner infection, it may actually
be inflammation, not an infection. Ear pain is the most common symptom,
but other signs to look for include:- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
-
Middle Ear Infection – As mentioned earlier, this is the most common
type of ear infection. In most cases, the infection occurs when fluid
becomes trapped behind the eardrum, causing the eardrum to bulge. In addition
to ear pain, you may experience some fluid drainage and feel as if the
ear is ‘full’ or expanded. Other symptoms include:- Hearing loss
- Pain
- Overall ill feeling
- Fluid behind the eardrum
-
Outer Ear Infection – The outer ear, known as the otitis externa,
can also become infected. When this happens, many people report an itchy
rash to start. Additional symptoms include:- Pain
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Swelling
It is important to make a distinction between the symptoms that adults
and children experience with an ear infection. In children, the symptoms
may include:
- Tugging at the ear
- Lack of sleep
- High fever
- Irritability
- Ear drainage
- Restlessness
- Lack of appetite
- Crying at night when lying down
Treating an Ear Infection
In most cases, an ear infection will go away on its own without any treatment.
If your child is over the age of 2 and you believe he or she has an ear
infection, keep an eye on them for 72 hours. If their symptoms have not
subsided during this time, please come into Urgentology Care so one of
our experienced doctors can evaluate your child. Additionally, if the
pain is accompanied by other, more serious symptoms, please come into
our urgent care clinic. While ear infections are not contagious, they
can be extremely painful. For most people, treating an ear infection centers
around getting the pain under control. Taking an over-the-counter pain
medication such as ibuprofen or Tylenol can be very effective. If you
have questions about this or if you would like to visit one of our urgent
care doctors to discuss your or your child’s symptoms, please
contact Urgentology Care today.
Important: If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or
go to your nearest Emergency Room. Information in this site is not intended
to be used as a diagnosis for your symptoms. If you experience any of
these symptoms, please seek medical attention or visit Urgentology Care.