Have you ever had a sudden, severe earache or a feeling of something being stuck in your ear? If you are a mother of a small child, you may have noticed your baby crying and scratching at his ear at night. These are the common symptoms of ear infections that we are going to talk about today. Although this can happen to anyone, it is more common in young children.
How does an ear infection develop?
Simply put, an ear infection is when a germ, such as a virus or bacteria, enters our ear and causes an infection. To understand this, let's first learn a little about the parts of our ear. Our ear is made up of three main parts:
- Outer ear: The part we can see outside and the tube that leads to the eardrum.
- Middle ear: The air-filled chamber behind the eardrum.
- Inner ear: The part that contains the nerves that send sound and balance to the brain.
Based on your symptoms, you can get a rough idea of where the infection is in your ear. But only a doctor can tell you for sure.
Symptoms of ear infections in adults
When an adult has an ear infection, the main symptom is earache. It can be a sudden, sharp pain, or it can be a constant , dull ache. Symptoms vary depending on the type of infection.
| Type of infection | Common symptoms |
|---|---|
| Outer Ear Infection | Ear pain, redness, itching, swelling, yellow/brown/white discharge from the ear, fever. This is also called "swimmer's ear." It is caused by bacteria growing in the small amount of moisture that remains in the ear after swimming. However, it can also occur in people who don't swim, even if their ear is irritated or infected. |
| Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media) | Sudden earache, hot fluid draining from the ear, sore throat, fever, headache, loss of balance when walking. This is often caused by a blockage in the Eustachian tube, which connects the throat to the middle ear, due to colds and allergies, and fluid accumulation. |
| Inner Ear Infection (Otitis Interna) | Ear pain, dizziness (vertigo), nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, hearing changes, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and headaches. This is common in adults between the ages of 30-60. |
Some people are at a slightly higher risk of developing ear infections if they have medical conditions like diabetes, eczema, or psoriasis.
Ear infections in young children and babies
Ear infections in children are a common problem for pediatricians. More than 80% of children will have at least one ear infection before they reach school age.
How do you know if a young child has an ear infection?
Children don't know how to tell if they have an earache, so be on the lookout for these signs:
- Frequent touching or pulling of the ear.
- Insomnia, frequent waking up at night.
- Irritability for no reason, frequent crying.
- The food is tasteless.
- Increased crying when lying down at night (the pain increases as the pressure in the middle ear increases when lying down).
- Fluid draining from the ear.
- Loss of balance when walking.
- Fever.
Characteristics of infants (under 2 years old)
Ear infections can be difficult to diagnose in babies between 6 months and 2 years of age, as they are unable to verbalize their pain. Be aware of these things:
- Crying more than usual and being difficult to comfort.
- Touching the ear.
- Refusing to drink milk (because it increases ear pain when sucking and swallowing).
- Not responding to certain sounds.
- Mouth breathing or snoring.
- Fever between 100.5°F - 104°F.
There are some risk factors that can increase the risk of ear infections in children. For example, if someone in the family has frequent ear infections, if the child goes to daycare (where the risk of catching the disease is higher), if they are exposed to cigarette smoke, if they use a pacifier, and if they breastfeed while lying down, the risk is higher.
When should I see a doctor?
Most ear infections go away on their own in a few days. But sometimes they don't. So it's best to see a doctor if you have symptoms. Your doctor may recommend the following treatments:
- Antibiotics: These are not given for every ear infection. Because if you use them too much, the germs become accustomed to them (resistance). So, your doctor may prescribe medication, wait a few days, and only tell you to take it if it doesn't go away.
- Antiviral medication: May be needed for viral infections of the inner ear.
- Nasal steroid spray: Reduce swelling in the ear.
- Decongestants: Reduce fluid buildup in the ear.
- Pain medication: Although it does not cure the infection, it can reduce pain and provide relief. If giving it to a child, be sure to consult a doctor and only give the prescribed dosage.
- Surgery: For frequent, severe middle ear infections, a minor surgery called a myringotomy is sometimes performed. This involves making a small hole in the eardrum and inserting a small tube called a tympanostomy tube. This allows the fluid in the middle ear to drain more easily and relieve pressure. Although this is often done in children, it is rarely needed in adults.
When to seek immediate medical advice
If you have these symptoms, don't delay. See a doctor as soon as possible, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
| Patient | Serious symptoms to watch out for |
|---|---|
| If your child: |
|
| If you are an adult: |
|
You know your child best. If you have any doubts, don't delay in seeing a doctor.
Complications that may occur if left untreated
An ear infection is not something to be taken lightly. If not treated properly, it can lead to serious, possibly lifelong, problems.
- Hearing loss: Hearing may return to normal once the infection is cured. However, severe or recurring infections can cause permanent hearing loss.
- Speech delay: Young children learn to speak by listening. If they don't hear well, their ability to speak can be delayed.
- Perforated eardrum: An infection can cause a hole in the eardrum, which may require surgery to repair.
- Spread of infection: Although rare, an untreated infection can spread to the brain and spinal cord, causing a dangerous condition called meningitis.
Take-Home Message
- Don't ignore symptoms like earache, fever, ear discharge, and dizziness. These could be signs of an ear infection.
- It's especially hard to tell if a baby has an ear problem, so pay attention to their behavior (frequent crying, ear rubbing, not drinking).
- Although most ear infections resolve on their own, sometimes treatment is needed, so it's best to see a doctor for advice.
- Delaying treatment can lead to serious conditions such as hearing loss and a perforated eardrum.
- Follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Take the prescribed medication for the full duration.
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