![]() Eardrops and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain. To help soothe symptoms, gently press a warm washcloth against the affected ear. ![]() Treating an ear infection begins at home. ![]() How Are Ear Infections Treated? OTC or Prescription Medication Options When antibiotics fail to treat the problem adequately, or it recurs frequently, a mastoid surgery, or mastoidectomy may be necessary. Chronic cases may require frequent visits for thorough ear cleanings. Many cases of mastoiditis are treated successfully with antibiotics. Symptoms of mastoiditis include swelling, redness, and tenderness of the ear lobe and area behind the ear as well as drainage of fluids from the ear, fever, irritability and lethargy. If antibiotics are unsuccessful in clearing up the infection, then mastoid surgery may be needed. As the infection spreads, potentially reaching the brain, the bone is destroyed, resulting in hearing loss. This is call a mastoid infection or mastoiditis. In addition to pain and discomfort, a middle ear infection can cause tiny air cells in the mastoid bone to fill up with pus. An Untreated Infection Can Lead to Mastoiditis For these reasons, early detection and treatment are crucial. If left untreated, chronic ear infections can lead to a variety of complications including hearing loss, damage to the bones in the middle ear, balance problems, a middle ear cyst called a cholesteatoma, facial paralysis and inflammation of the brain. Your toddler or infant shows symptoms following an upper respiratory infection or cold.Ĭan an Ear Infection Cause Complications?.Your child shows symptoms and is under 6 months of age.Symptoms of an ear infection last longer than a day.You experience fluid discharge, bloody fluid, or pus from your ear.Schedule an appointment with our clinic if: The sooner an acute ear infection is treated, the lower the chances of it developing into a chronic condition. Infants are often fussier than usual, and may cry inconsolably, refuse to eat and have trouble sleeping. These may be accompanied by a low-grade fever and hearing loss. The hallmark signs of otitis media are pain and pressure in the ear and fluid drainage. What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Infection? The result is an earache and, in some cases, loss of hearing. This fluid presses against the eardrum, causing pain, and can harbor germs that lead to infection. Why Do Children Get Ear Infections so Frequently?īecause the Eustachian tube is smaller in children, it is more prone to swelling when this occurs, fluid is trapped in the middle ear. These conditions cause swelling of the Eustachian tube, a small canal that connects the middle ear to upper part of the throat and provides an outlet for fluid drainage, trapping germs and fluid in the middle ear and leading to infection. The majority of ear infections are viral or bacterial in nature, usually occurring after a cold or upper respiratory infection. calendar-check copy Request AppointmentĪn ear infection occurs in the middle ear when fluid becomes trapped following a viral or bacterial infection.
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