Ear infections afflict people of all ages around the world. It is rare to get complications from an ear infection, but you may have mild to moderate hearing loss if treatment is delayed or if there is no treatment at all. In small children, persistent ear infections may cause delay in speech or communication problems.
What Are the Types of Ear Infections?
The most frequent types are Otitis Media, Otitis Externa, and Otitis Interna. Your ear infection treatment typically depends on which type you have.
What Is Otitis Media?
The most common among all three types, Otitis Media is an infection found in the middle ear, wherein inflammation occurs. It may be caused by the bacteria or viruses that cause colds or flu, and sore throat. Thus, Otitis Media can be a complication of these health problems.
Otitis Media is mostly acquired by the small children due to slow development of their Eustachian tubes. Teenagers and adults can also have this condition. Symptoms generally include a “full” feeling within the affected ear, a discharge, pain, discomfort, fever, and partial hearing loss.
What about Otitis Externa?
Otitis Externa is brought about by germs from infected or dirty water. It is also known as Swimmer’s Ear because swimmers (professional or occasional), generally get this. If you have just swum, or after one day, and you feel a pain or an itch in one or both ears, you might have this condition. Other symptoms to check for are your outer ear’s skin flaking and more pain when the affected ear lobe is tugged. This condition is most widespread among adults.
How about Otitis Interna?
Also referred to as Labyrinthitis, Otitis Interna is a swelling of your inner ear that usually leads to severe vertigo that can last for many days. Its cause is actually unclear, but it may be due to a viral invasion in your vestibular labyrinth (found in your inner ear) which is in charge of balance.
With this condition, you feel extreme dizziness which gives you the sensation that the world is spinning fast. Then, you may also have nausea and vomiting. There is rarely hearing loss in this condition.
Ear Infection Treatment
Otitis Media. Nearly all cases of Otitis Media get well within three days even without treatment. If there is fever, over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol and ibuprofen (never give aspirin to kids below 16 years old) will relieve the pain. An Ears, Nose, and Throat specialist will most likely prescribe antibiotics only if the patient is a kid who has a serious health problem which can acquire a secondary infection, or if the symptoms do not improve after four days. And if it concerns a baby less than three months old, antibiotics are highly suggested.
Otitis Externa. If you are a professional swimmer who has Otitis Externa, do not go swimming yet until you are well. The pain can be relieved with over-the-counter painkillers and/or by putting a warm cloth over your infected ear. Although this condition can be alright for several weeks even without medication, it is best to see an ENT for specific evaluation. Treatment will be through the use of antibiotic eardrops: acidic eardrops to kill bacteria, antifungal eardrops to cure fungus, or corticosteroid eardrops to minimize inflammation.
Otitis Interna. The vertigo associated with Otitis Interna can be controlled by vestibular suppressants like meclizine or diazepam. If there is spread of bacteria to the inner ear from a middle ear infection, the ENT may prescribe an antibiotic.
An Important Reminder
If you feel that you have an ear infection based on the information found here, do not ever hesitate to consult an ENT for the best ear infection treatment.
