An ear infection typically affects the middle ear and is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Most of the time it will clear up on its own and ear infection treatment Los Angeles usually begins with pain management. However, you should still monitor the infection and discuss any concerns with your doctor.

Symptoms

Ear infection symptoms begin rapidly, and include the following:

Children Symptoms

  • Irritability and crying, more than usual
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Tugging at an ear
  • Ear pain that increases when lying down
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headache
  • Difficulty hearing
  • Fluid seeping from the ear
  • Loss of balance

Adult Symptoms

  • Fluid seeping from the ear
  • Difficulty hearing
  • Ear pain

Causes

An ear infection occurs when a virus or bacterium affects the middle ear. It usually is a result of another illness, such as a cold, allergy, or flu that leads to swelling and/or congestion of your nasal passages, Eustachian tubes, and throat.

Eustachian Tubes

These tubes are a set of narrow tubes connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat. Their role is dedicated to air pressure regulation, draining excess secretion, and refreshing the air in your middle ear. When mucous, swelling, and inflammation occur, the accumulation of the fluids can block the tubes and cause an infection.

Adenoids

Adenoids are believed to have a role in your immune system activity. As such, they are particularly vulnerable to swelling, inflammation, and infection. They are located close to the entrance of the Eustachian tubes, so any enlargement of the Adenoids means they block the tubes and can contribute to an ear infection.

Treatment

Most ear infections clear themselves up without any treatment. However, below are some guidelines on how to manage your ear infection.

Wait-and-See

Most ear infections symptoms will improve after a few days, and completely clear up in one to two weeks. Antibiotics may be necessary and beneficial for some children. Discuss benefits and potential side effects with your doctor surrounding the use of antibiotics before beginning ear infection treatment Los Angeles.

Manage Your Pain

There are several ways to manage the pain caused by an ear infection. Here are some recommendations:

  • Use a warm, moist washcloth over the infected ear. This may help relieve some of the pain.
  • Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to help lessen the pain. Use only as directed.

Antibiotic Therapy

In some situations, your doctor may recommend antibiotic treatment after the initial monitoring phase. Discuss options with your doctor. For difficult-to-treat chronic infections that cause perforations of the eardrum, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. You will also receive instructions on how to suction excess fluid from the ear canal before administering the antibiotic drops.

If you or your child is suffering from an ear infection, call us at (213) 386-2511 or schedule an appointment online here for ear infection treatment Los Angeles.