Ear Infection Causes Symptoms Information with Treatment
Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation and infection of the ear canal. Swimming, bathing, allergies, or even cleaning your ear with a cotton-tipped swab can lead to discomfort, bacterial growth, and infection. The ear is made up of an intricate system of tiny bones, organs, and membranes that produce the signals our brain interprets as sound. An ear infection, also known as otitis media , produces pus, fluid, fullness, pain, and inflammation within the ear. An ear infection may also cause fever, hearing loss, and dizziness. In children , the eustachian tube is shorter and less slanted than in adults and is thus more susceptible to bacterial and viral infection. Since it often occurs when excess water enters the ear canal, a common name for this inflammation is "swimmer's ear." If you have had swimmer's ear in the past, you have a higher risk of having it again. Exostoses may not cause symptoms, or they may lead to ear infections and hearing loss, especially if they are big enough to block the ear canal.
Causes of Ear Infection
The common Causes of Ear Infection :
The cause is a germ infecting the outer ear canal. Most often this is caused by bacteria (which can be treated with antibiotics), but sometimes other causes, such as fungus infection, are to blame.
The infection can happen to anyone. Sometimes a cause can be traced, such as swimming in infected sea water (many surfers will attest to this). Most times it is not possible to be sure why it started.
Excessive sweating from physical activity.
Use of earplugs.
Some people seem to have one episode after another. It may be that some of these people have a habit of fiddling with or picking at their ears, and introduce the infection themselves, inadvertently.
Otitis media is most likely to happen in children, because their eustachian tubes are narrower to start off with. Sometimes the glandular tissue at the lower end of the eustachian tubes (the adenoids) seems rather more enlarged than in other children, making blockage of the tubes even more likely. However it can happen in anybody.
Symptoms of Ear Infection
Some Symptoms of Ear Infection :
Nausea , vomiting .
Have trouble sleeping .
Develop a fever.
Fail to respond to sounds .
Develop fluid that drains from the ears.
Have headaches.
Ear noise or buzzing.
Irritability .
Diarrhea .
Tug or pull at their ears .
Treatment of Ear Infection
Most times your family doctor will treat the infection with either ear drops (which usually contain an antibiotic or antiseptic, along with some steroid), or a course of antibiotics. On occasion you may be given both drops and antibiotics.
If the pain is bad you may need to take pain killers (analgesics) such as paracetamol, or anti inflammatory drugs in addition. Usually the infection settles quite quickly.
Sometimes the ear canal needs more attention. This may involve seeing a specialist, and perhaps having the ear cleaned out, or a dressing inserted temporarily.
The treatment, however, can start immediately, as the most important part is to reduce the pain . For this, paracetamol either as a liquid, a tablet, or a soluble tablet is usually the best. Ibuprofen, a NSAID is another alternative. You should not use aspirin in a child under the age of 16, but it can be very helpful for the older age groups.
In many countries, the standard treatment for otitis media has been a course of antibiotics. There is currently some debate as to whether this should indeed be the treatment. There are points for and against their use.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and skin disorders. She also writes articles on herbal home remedies.
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Quick and Easy Home Remedy for Ear Infection
By Amy B
What Causes An Ear Infection?
An ear infection is a common side effect of a cold, a sinus infection, and other problems. The small tube that connects the inner ear with the nose becoming blocked usually causes earaches. Moisture builds up in the ear, and pressure increases. Thus, we get an ear infection. There are a variety of options if you are looking for a home remedy for ear infection. Here are just a few of them.
Ways You Can Ward Off An Ear Infection
Many people consume zinc supplements to help act as a home remedy for ear infection, as well as other illnesses. A few drops of three percent hydrogen peroxide solution in each ear, sitting for about ten minutes, will help cure earaches caused by an ear infection.
Onions and garlic are known to have anti-bacterial properties. Warm onion juice can be used as an eardrop. You can also warm up two garlic cloves in a couple of teaspoons of mustard oil until the oil turns black. Once it is cool, this oil can then be used as a simple home remedy for ear infection.
Use Some Oil
If the ear is simply irritated, you may be able to soothe it by applying a few drops of olive oil. Likewise, mustard oil, applied daily, can help to reduce your chances of getting an ear infection or at least speed the healing up if you already have one.
You can put together two drops of lavender oil, two of chamomile oil, and three drops of tea tree oil in an almond oil solution. Use this mixture, slightly warmed up, as an eardrop three times a day. Chamomile is also known to sooth inflammation, and tea tree oil has well documented anti-microbial properties.
Heat Things Up
Holding a warm, wet cloth to the ear will improve circulation in the ear, and help remove wax that is creating a blockage.
Applying heat to an earache can usually reduce the pain. Heating pads and electric blankets can be a useful home remedy for ear infection. Remember never to put anything into your ear to try to remove a blockage. You could injure your ear, or push blockages in further.
Other home remedy for ear infection suggestions include eardrops made from mashed, peeled turmeric root in water, or a one to one ratio of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. Turmeric has traditional uses as a natural antibiotic, so it's a good choice for an ear wash.
In the other home remedy, the alcohol's drying action will reduce the moisture in the ear canal, and vinegar's cleaning action can kill fungi or bacteria infecting the ear.
You are invited to discover the secrets to more simple yet effective home remedies for any condition at the Herbal Home Remedy website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_B
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