You don't have to be a kid to get an ear infection. Adults, too, are sometimes plagued by the nagging pain and pressure of an earache. But targeted medications can bring quick relief-and sometimes aching ears even clear up on their own.
Ear infections generally arise when bacteria, viruses or fungi take hold in various parts of your ear causing inflammation and pain. Infections can usually be divided into two main categories: an infection of the external ear canal called otitis externa or an infection of the middle ear known as otitis media.
Among adults, otitis externa is more common and it tends to occur in people who spend a lot of time in the water, hence its more common title, swimmer's ear. Constant moisture in the ear canal encourages bacteria and fungi to grow, and also softens the skin lining, allowing germs to invade more easily. It is also more common in hot, humid conditions such as in the topics.
Symptoms often begin with itching that gradually worsens into severe pain. As the infection takes hold, the lining of the canal swells, increasing the pain and discomfort. It often hurts to move the ear or even the jaw. There may also be a yellowish discharge from the ear and the feeling that the ear is constantly blocked. Otitis media most often strikes young children. It is an infection of the middle ear infection. But gettting older doesn't grant you immunity. In both children and adults, viral and bacterial attacks--often resulting from a cold, flu, allergy or sinus infection--can cause mucus and pus to build up in your Eustachian tube, which connects your middle ear with the back of your nose. This can provoke pain that may be sharp and sudden or dull and throbbing, often accompained by fever and nasal congestion.
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
Earaches can be excruciating, but the pain is usually short-lived and complications are rare--provided you get prompt treatment. A festering infection can cause muffled hearing, perforation of the eardrum or, very rarely, can spread to nearby bones and tissue.
Medications
For an outer ear infection the most effective form of treatment is usually an antibiotic, and antifungal and/or corticosteroid eardrops such as Sofradex, Kenacomb or Locacorten--Vioform drops. Outer ear infections are often extremely painful and analgesics can be necessary. If the ear canal is swollen the eardrops may not be able to penetrate the canal. In such cases your doctor may insert a wick into the ear. A wick is either a matchstick-like piece of compressed cotton or a long, thin ribbon of cotton gauze which is packed into the ear with forceps. These wicks are impregnated with the medication and are often an efficient and effective means of delivering treatment. Oral antibiotics are rarely needed in the treatment of otitis externa.
Good ear hygiene Keep ear canal clean; remove wax properly.
It is important with outer ear infections that the ear is kept dry and nothing is poked into the canal, such as a cotton bud or hairpin. This is true both for the time of the infection as well as after it has healed in order to avoid a recurrence. After you have had an episode of otitis externa you should try to waterproof your ear when swimming by using earplugs, for example. If water does get in your ear you should try to dry it completely, perhaps by using spirit drops, such as Aquaear.
Otitis media is a completely different story. Research has shown that many cases of middle ear infection are viral and therefore not sensitive to antibiotics. Because of this and concerns about increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, many doctors will hold off prescribing them for a day or two see whether the infection clears up on its own. Aside from oral analgesia, you may also be given anaesthetic eardrops such as Auralgan, which will provide some relief. If antibiotics are necessary, the most common drugs prescribed for this condition are amoxycillin (Amoxil, Moxacin), amoxycillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) and cefaclor (Ceclor).
Medical treatment goes hand in hand with being good to your ears. Regardless of whether you have an infection, always clean your ears with care. Don't try to remove dirt with your fingernail, a hairpin or even a cotton bud; they can all scratch the ear canal. Use damp cotton balls or a warm washcloth instead.
If you tend to accumulate earwax, place a drop or two of warm mineral or vegetable oil in your ear. Then lie on your opposite side for about five minutes to let the oil penetrate; flush out the loosened wax with a bulb syringe, filled with warm water.
What is happening
Ear infections generally arise when bacteria, viruses or fungi take hold in various parts of your ear causing inflammation and pain. Infections can usually be divided into two main categories: an infection of the external ear canal called otitis externa or an infection of the middle ear known as otitis media.
Among adults, otitis externa is more common and it tends to occur in people who spend a lot of time in the water, hence its more common title, swimmer's ear. Constant moisture in the ear canal encourages bacteria and fungi to grow, and also softens the skin lining, allowing germs to invade more easily. It is also more common in hot, humid conditions such as in the topics.
Symptoms often begin with itching that gradually worsens into severe pain. As the infection takes hold, the lining of the canal swells, increasing the pain and discomfort. It often hurts to move the ear or even the jaw. There may also be a yellowish discharge from the ear and the feeling that the ear is constantly blocked. Otitis media most often strikes young children. It is an infection of the middle ear infection. But gettting older doesn't grant you immunity. In both children and adults, viral and bacterial attacks--often resulting from a cold, flu, allergy or sinus infection--can cause mucus and pus to build up in your Eustachian tube, which connects your middle ear with the back of your nose. This can provoke pain that may be sharp and sudden or dull and throbbing, often accompained by fever and nasal congestion.
- Prescription eardrops, antibiotics and/or pain-killers to fight germs and/or numb pain.
- Nonprescription analgesics such as paracetamol, or NSAIDs to reduce pain, inflammation and fever.
- Self-care strategies (proper ear cleaning, wax removal for treatment and prevention.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
- Is my hearing affected? If so, for how long?
- Am I allowed to swim with an infection? Should I wear earplugs in the future?
- Is it okay for me to fly when my ears are infected?
- How can I keep wax from building up in my ears?
- A lot of hair grows in my ears. Could that be causing the trouble?
Treatments
Earaches can be excruciating, but the pain is usually short-lived and complications are rare--provided you get prompt treatment. A festering infection can cause muffled hearing, perforation of the eardrum or, very rarely, can spread to nearby bones and tissue.
For an outer ear infection the most effective form of treatment is usually an antibiotic, and antifungal and/or corticosteroid eardrops such as Sofradex, Kenacomb or Locacorten--Vioform drops. Outer ear infections are often extremely painful and analgesics can be necessary. If the ear canal is swollen the eardrops may not be able to penetrate the canal. In such cases your doctor may insert a wick into the ear. A wick is either a matchstick-like piece of compressed cotton or a long, thin ribbon of cotton gauze which is packed into the ear with forceps. These wicks are impregnated with the medication and are often an efficient and effective means of delivering treatment. Oral antibiotics are rarely needed in the treatment of otitis externa.
Treatment Options
MEDICATIONS
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Antibiotics Eardrops or oral; corticsoteroid if swelling.
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Antifungals When a fungus is the cause.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anaesthetic eardrops To relieve pain while anitbiotics take effect.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analgesics/NSAIDs Keep ear canal clean; remove wax properly.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEDICATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antibiotics Eardrops or oral; corticsoteroid if swelling.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antifungals When a fungus is the cause.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anaesthetic eardrops To relieve pain while anitbiotics take effect.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analgesics/NSAIDs Keep ear canal clean; remove wax properly.
Good ear hygiene Keep ear canal clean; remove wax properly.
It is important with outer ear infections that the ear is kept dry and nothing is poked into the canal, such as a cotton bud or hairpin. This is true both for the time of the infection as well as after it has healed in order to avoid a recurrence. After you have had an episode of otitis externa you should try to waterproof your ear when swimming by using earplugs, for example. If water does get in your ear you should try to dry it completely, perhaps by using spirit drops, such as Aquaear.
Otitis media is a completely different story. Research has shown that many cases of middle ear infection are viral and therefore not sensitive to antibiotics. Because of this and concerns about increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, many doctors will hold off prescribing them for a day or two see whether the infection clears up on its own. Aside from oral analgesia, you may also be given anaesthetic eardrops such as Auralgan, which will provide some relief. If antibiotics are necessary, the most common drugs prescribed for this condition are amoxycillin (Amoxil, Moxacin), amoxycillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) and cefaclor (Ceclor).
TAKING CONTROL
- Take a drug-free approach to otitis media. According to the US Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Control, 80% of middle ear infections in children heal on their own. Many experts suggest giving mild cases a day or two before resorting to antibiotics.
- Take the full course. If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take the full course even if you better in a day or two. Otherwise, harmful germs may remain, rally and strike again.
- Give your hearing aid a rest. Avoid using this device during treatment to give your ear canal an airing.
- Try herbal eardrops. You can relieve a mild earache caused by otitis externa in about 10 minutes using mullein flower eardrops, available at health-food stores. Not only do the drops reduce swelling, they also help to flight infection--causing microbes. Avoid the drops if there's any chance of a ruptured eardrum. Signs of this include draining from the ear or intense pain.
Medical treatment goes hand in hand with being good to your ears. Regardless of whether you have an infection, always clean your ears with care. Don't try to remove dirt with your fingernail, a hairpin or even a cotton bud; they can all scratch the ear canal. Use damp cotton balls or a warm washcloth instead.
If you tend to accumulate earwax, place a drop or two of warm mineral or vegetable oil in your ear. Then lie on your opposite side for about five minutes to let the oil penetrate; flush out the loosened wax with a bulb syringe, filled with warm water.
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