The most common ear infections are external otitis and acute otitis media.
External otitis is often called swimmers ear and may be a result of trapped water in the ear canal that leads down to the eardrum. It is frequently associated with wax in the ear canal. When water gets in the canal a bacterial or fungal infection may develop. Symptoms include moderate to very severe ear pain, pain with movement of the outer ear, or chewing, fullness in the ear, and hearing loss. Both adults and children are equally affected with external otitis. Prompt evaluation and treatment is advisable.
Acute otitis media is a very common problem especially in children. It is the most frequent diagnosis for children under the age of five who visit their physicians for illness. It is also the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in children.
It typically occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection (cold). It may also be associated with allergies, exposure to smoke, immune dysfunction, and other systemic illnesses. Any condition that causes inflammation and swelling of the nose and throat can cause dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. This tube runs from the throat to the middle ear and allows the ear to equalize pressure and remain healthy.
When the Eustachian tube gets blocked, negative pressure forms in the middle ear, the space in back of the eardrum. This negative pressure starts the process of developing fluid and or infection in the middle ear and leads to otitis media.
Symptoms and Signs of Acute Otitis Media:
When You Should See a Doctor:
Treatment:
External otitis is often called swimmers ear and may be a result of trapped water in the ear canal that leads down to the eardrum. It is frequently associated with wax in the ear canal. When water gets in the canal a bacterial or fungal infection may develop. Symptoms include moderate to very severe ear pain, pain with movement of the outer ear, or chewing, fullness in the ear, and hearing loss. Both adults and children are equally affected with external otitis. Prompt evaluation and treatment is advisable.
Acute otitis media is a very common problem especially in children. It is the most frequent diagnosis for children under the age of five who visit their physicians for illness. It is also the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in children.
It typically occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection (cold). It may also be associated with allergies, exposure to smoke, immune dysfunction, and other systemic illnesses. Any condition that causes inflammation and swelling of the nose and throat can cause dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. This tube runs from the throat to the middle ear and allows the ear to equalize pressure and remain healthy.
When the Eustachian tube gets blocked, negative pressure forms in the middle ear, the space in back of the eardrum. This negative pressure starts the process of developing fluid and or infection in the middle ear and leads to otitis media.
Symptoms and Signs of Acute Otitis Media:
- Ear pain
- Fullness in the ear or hearing loss
- Drainage from the ear
- Tugging or pulling at an ear
- Pulling at the ears
- Fever
- Irritability
- Dizziness
When You Should See a Doctor:
- Symptoms last for longer than 24 to 48 hours
- High fever (greater than 101 F)
- Drainage from the ear
- Severe ear pain
- Infant, toddler, or child that is very irritable or unable to sleep
- Severe nausea and or vomiting
Treatment:
- Pain medication
- Antibiotics: Current literature supports delaying the use of antibiotics for up to four days for uncomplicated otitis media.
- Surgery: In selected cases, surgery, including the use of PE (pressure equalization) tubes may be appropriate. The newest literature indicates that surgery can be avoided in the majority of patients, and should be reserved for patients who have had infections for greater than six months or who develop complications of otitis media.