Adults can get ear infections as well as infants and children.The pain in your ear can make you feel miserable and can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as a sore throat.If you think you have an ear infection, schedule an appointment with your doctor to get a diagnosis and discuss treatment options.Ear infections are relatively easy to treat, and usually only last a few days.
Step 1: Do you have pain in your ear?
You might have a middle ear infection if you have pain in your ear.If you are lying on the side of the ear, the pain will be more severe.It can be hard to differentiate the pain in your ear from the headaches you have.Lying down or leaning your head to either side will help you figure out where the pain is coming from.If you pull on your ear or press on the small bumps in front of it, the pain will increase.If you have a middle ear infection, you won't notice an increase in pain by pressing on the tragus.
Step 2: Check for fluid in your ear.
Your middle ear has eustachian tubes.These tubes can't work if they become swollen.Middle ear infections can be caused by fluid in your middle ear.There is fluid in your ear.It is usually clear and odorless from an outer ear infection.If the fluid is discolored, this could be a sign that the infection has progressed.If the fluid is bloody, you should see your doctor.This could be a sign of more serious damage to your ear.If you don't have fluid in your ear, it's not necessarily because you have an ear infection.
Step 3: You should notice redness or itching in your ear.
It is possible to have an outer ear infection if your ear is itching.It is possible that your ear canal is redder than normal.The redness will become more extensive and the itching will get more intense as the infection progresses.It is possible to get someone to look in your ear and see if it is redder than normal.They can compare one ear to the other.
Step 4: Determine if you have a hearing loss.
Hearing difficulties may occur if your ear is full of fluid.You will be able to tell if the ear you are listening to is infectious by plugging it and listening with it.They will sound quieter because of an inner ear infection.Tinnitus, a ringing or humming in your ears, is a common symptom of inner ear infections.If you suspect a child has an ear infection, you may notice that they don't respond to you the same way they did before.This could be a sign that they don't hear you.
Step 5: Evaluate if you've been eating less or feeling sick.
Losing appetite is a sign of an inner ear or middle ear infection.It is possible that nausea is caused by an inner ear infection.A child with an ear infection won't eat.It's common to see changes in sleep patterns.A loss of appetite is also possible because you may feel unwell.
Step 6: Take a test of your balance and vision.
If you have trouble maintaining your balance, you might have an inner ear problem.To check this, sit or stand still and look around.If the room seems to be moving around you, that's a sign of dizziness.There are a lot of symptoms of an inner ear infection.A change in vision, such as double vision or difficulty focusing, may be a sign of an inner ear infection.It doesn't go away or improve in 2 or 3 days if you see your doctor.
Step 7: If you have a high temperature, you should take a temperature.
Middle ear infections can be accompanied by a high temperature of 100 F or higher.A high temperature may mean that there are other viruses or infections.Unless you have other symptoms, it's not necessarily a sign of an ear infection.If you've been taking over-the-counter medication for a cold or allergies, you may not have a high temperature.Take your temperature again once the medication wears off.If your temperature is less than 102.2 F, you can wait and see if the infection goes away on its own.Most mild ear infections don't need medical treatment and can be treated within a day or two.
Step 8: If symptoms don't improve in 48 to 72 hours, see your doctor.
Most ear infections go away on their own.If your symptoms don't get better, or if your condition gets worse, make an appointment with your doctor.If you have a high temperature or fluid draining from your ear, contact your doctor immediately.
Step 9: Tell your doctor if you've been swimming.
If you've been swimming in a body of water, such as a lake or a river, you may have an ear problem.The term "swimmer's ear" is used because it is caused by exposure tobacteria found in water and soil.If you put cotton swabs in your ears, you can contract an ear infection even if you haven't been swimming.The thin layer of skin that lines your ear canal can be damaged by these.
Step 10: Tell your doctor about your health problems.
If you have pain in either or both of your ears, drainage of fluid, and muffled hearing, you may have an ear infection.You may have a sore throat.Ear infections can be caused by a cold or an upper respiratory illness.If most of the symptoms of an ear infection are present, your doctor may be able to make a diagnosis.Many of the symptoms are the same as for other conditions.If you have been suffering from allergies, you are more at risk for ear infections.If you live with someone who smokes, you are more likely to get an ear infection.If you feel that the symptoms are unrelated, tell your doctor.This will allow your doctor to determine if the problem is an ear infection or a combination of conditions.
Step 11: Your doctor can examine your ear.
Doctors use an instrument called a pneumatic otoscope to look for fluid behind the eardrum.The doctor will blow air against your ear.This would cause your eardrum to move.Your eardrum won't move if your ear is filled with fluid.If you have recurring ear infections, or if your ear infection has not responded to previous treatments, your doctor may conduct other tests.
Step 12: To reduce the pain, try a warm compress.
Within a week or two most ear infections will go away on their own.It may feel a little better if you put a washcloth on your ear.The warm compress can help loosen the fluid in your ear.Take the warm compress off after 10 to 15 minutes.You can put another one on after it's been off for a while.You can repeat this cycle multiple times throughout the day.
Step 13: Anti-Inflammatory medications can be used to ease pain and swelling.
Taking over-the-counter medications can help relieve pain.Inflammation can be reduced by these medications, which can allow the fluid to drain on its own.If your doctor tells you a different dose, follow the instructions on the bottle.
Step 14: The air pressure in your ear can be adjusted with auto-insufflation.
This technique is known as "popping your ears."To do it safely, tilt your head back.Close your mouth and breathe.It can help the fluid drain more easily by forcing air back through the eustachian tubes.If you don't feel any relief the first time, you should stop doing it.You can damage your ears.
Step 15: If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, you should take it.
Your doctor may start you on antibiotics for some ear infections.If you have a high temperature of 102.2 F or higher, this is likely.Continue taking antibiotics even if your condition improves or your ear infections is under control.If not, the infection may return.
Step 16: Seek advanced treatment for ear infections.
If you have an ear infection that doesn't respond to treatments, or if it keeps coming back, this may be a sign of a more serious problem.Your doctor can do more tests to find the source of the infection.Tiny tubes may be placed in your ears for recurrent ear infections.You can drain the fluid with these tubes.Young children with persistent ear infections are more likely to have this procedure.