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Ear Infection Treatment

Acute Ear Infections

Acute ear infections occur in the middle or outer ear. Your doctor can help you locate your infection, and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Anything that causes the tube to become inflamed or produce excess mucous or saliva could be the cause of an ear infection, including:

  • Allergies
  • Cold and sinus infections
  • Cold weather
  • Altitude or climate changes
  • Smoke
  • Pacifier use

Adults can get ear infections, but children are much more likely to get them because their smaller ear tubes are more easily clogged.

If your infant has an ear infections, he’ll likely cry without a clear cause and have trouble sleeping. Older children and adults will tell you they feel pain or a full feeling in their ear. They may also have an overall sick feeling. Sometimes green or yellow fluid will drain out of the ear.

Sometimes ear infections will resolve themselves without help from antibiotics. So, if your child is six months or older, you can apply a warm washcloth to the ear or try over-the-counter pain-relievers for children. But if your child is less than six months or develops a fever more than 102 degrees, you should consult your doctor.

Your doctor will use a tool to look into you or your child’s ear for:

  • Fluid
  • Damage to the eardrum
  • Inflammation

If your doctor determines you or your child has an ear infection, she may prescribe antibiotics, especially if your child is younger than two years old, or she may recommend ways to cope with the pain until the infection clears. Most of the time the infection will go away, but sometimes it will return.

Chronic Ear Infections

Chronic ear infection is an infection that does not go away. It may appear to resolve itself only to come back weeks later. Sometimes the symptoms are milder than an acute ear infection, allowing it to go unnoticed. This is dangerous because chronic ear infections can lead to complications, including hearing loss.

If you suspect your child might have a chronic ear infections, bring him to the doctor. Your doctor will examine his ear. She may also take a culture from his ear to determine if and what type of bacterial infection it is. Your doctor may also order a hearing test or a CT scan to make sure the infection hasn’t spread beyond his ear.

If your child is suffering from a chronic ear infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Your child may have to stay on these antibiotics for a long time until the infection is fully cleared. In severe cases, your doctor may also suggest surgery to either clean out or repair the ear or to put in ear tubes that will help prevent future ear infections.

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Related Content

  • Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat
  • Allergy Care
  • Ear Care Otology
  • Nasal and Sinus Care

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Jonathan N. Young, M.D.

Jonathan N. Young, M.D.

  • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology ENT

Judith M. Blazun, M.D.

Judith M. Blazun, M.D.

  • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

Lorre T. Henderson, M.D.

Lorre T. Henderson, M.D.

  • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

Ben G. Goldwyn, M.D.

Ben G. Goldwyn, M.D.

  • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

Roseanne E. Pevec, M.D.

Roseanne E. Pevec, M.D.

  • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

Terah J. Allis, M.D.

Terah J. Allis, M.D.

  • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

C. Eric Gage, M.D., FRCS

C. Eric Gage, M.D., FRCS

  • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

Randall S. Cohen, M.D.

Randall S. Cohen, M.D.

  • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

View All Related Doctors

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