In addition to causing a fever, an ear infection can be extremely painful, especially for children. Caused by germs that infiltrate the inner or middle ear, an ear infection can cause the ear to fill with fluid. Fortunately, over-the-counter and prescription treatments are available to reduce pain and heal infection.
Symptoms
In addition to pain in the ear, an ear infection may cause a fever reaching 100 degrees F or higher, dizziness, hearing loss and trouble sleeping. If left untreated, the germs can cause a build up of blood and pus in the ear, and cause a ruptured eardrum, which can cause hearing loss and other complications.
At-Home Treatments
One of the most effective treatments to subside ear infection-related pain is a warm water bottle or compress placed over the ear. Herbal treatments, such as garlic and St. John's wort, may have anesthetic properties in treating pain. However, these should be used only as directed. Ear drops using tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties, may help to reduce the amount of germs in the ear. This method can cause irritation, so caution should be taken.
Many people use ear candling, a method used to draw wax out of the ears, to relieve the feeling of fullness in the ear. However, this method can burn the area around the ear as well as cause additional pain.
Medical Treatments
Because some ear infections can clear up on their own, a doctor may recommend a wait and see approach to an ear infection. Over-the-counter pain relievers containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help with both pain and fever. If over-the-counter medication will not help symptoms subside, a physician may prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. It is important to not frequently take antibiotics, as abuse of antibiotics may result in a resistance to treatment, and may render antibiotics ineffective in the treatment of serious infection. Also, an ear infection caused by a virus will not heal with antibiotic treatment.
A physician also may prescribe ear drops that do not necessarily heal the infection, but may help to numb the pain while the ear heals. For children who experience recurrent ear infections, a physician may recommend a myringotomy, which involves the placement of drainage tubes in the ears. The procedure requires general anesthesia and a surgeon will insert a drainage tube in the child's eardrum. The tube helps to balance the pressure in the ear, resulting in less pain and infection.
Tags: heal infection, hearing loss, infection cause, pain infection