A GUIDE TO EAR INFECTIONS
Ear infections can impact anyone at any age but are especially common among children. They usually follow another illness and occur when a viral or bacterial infection impacts the section of the ear behind the eardrum. They can be extremely painful due to the fluid buildup and inflammation in the middle ear. However, they’re usually short-lived for most individuals. Here’s a bit more about recognizing the signs of an ear infection and what treatment options are available to you.
Symptoms
Ear infections usually first manifest themselves with a mild pain or discomfort inside the ear. You may also feel a persistent pressure inside the ear. If you have older children who develop an ear infection, they should be able to describe these sensations to you. However, for younger children, it can be more difficult to notice that they have an ear infection.
In toddlers or infants, who can’t tell you exactly what is bothering them, you might notice increased fussiness. They may also grab or tug on their ears. This is usually a good indicator of an ear infection, and you should take them to a walk-in clinic if you notice these signs.
If an ear infection is left untreated, symptoms may progress to pussy drainage from the ear. Eventually, a severe ear infection can even impact hearing, even causing hearing loss in some cases.
Diagnosis
When you or your child visits the doctor, they will likely examine the ears to look for any redness or fluid in the middle ear. If the ear infection is severe, they may spot a perforation in the eardrum, bulging of the eardrum, or even a collapsed eardrum. In the case of a severe infection, the doctor may also take a fluid sample to test it for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Treatment
In the case of short-term—also known as acute—very mild ear infections, you can sometimes treat them with a warm cloth on the ear and over-the-counter pain medications to reduce discomfort. Ear drops, as well as decongestants, can also help to clear up the infection more quickly. If symptoms persist, schedule a visit to see a doctor.
For young children, most doctors will also prescribe an antibiotic to help treat the infection more quickly and prevent potential complications in their developing eardrums. It’s important that you ensure your child finishes the entire course of antibiotics, regardless of whether or not the symptoms ebb before then.
Chronic Infections
As mentioned above, most ear infections are acute. However, some individuals are simply more prone to ear infections, and these individuals may experience chronic ear infections. This means the infection fails to truly clear up, or else the person may develop ear infections over and over again. These people may need to have tubes put in their ears to help prevent future ear infections.
If you notice signs of an ear infection in yourself or your child, visit Lanier Urgent Care, a walk-in clinic in Gainesville, GA. Open late during the week and on weekends, there are many reasons North Georgia residents choose our urgent care for ear infection treatment. Call, message, or stop by our office today to get started.
