Ear Infection Symptoms: Middle, Inner, or Outer Ear Pain (2023)

FAQs

How do I know if I have an inner middle or outer ear infection? ›

With swimmer's ear the pain is located in the outer ear canal, or the area near the ear opening, and increases when you pull on the earlobe. In a middle ear infection, pain is located in the inner ear, near the ear drum and will often increase with lying down, which can also cause trouble sleeping.

An ear infection happens when fluid in the interior space behind the eardrum becomes infected, usually with bacteria. The tube leading into the body becomes blocked, and fluid builds up behind the eardrum. The increased pressure pushes the eardrum outward, causing pain and fever.

Middle ear infections (otitis media) usually go away by themselves without antibiotics. Outer ear infections (otitis externa) are treated with antibiotic drops. See your doctor if you or your child has ear pain or discharge, reduced hearing, fever or vomiting.

Infection can cause: Earache – mild to severe pain in the ear or face or pulling at the ear and irritability in an infant. Fever – a high temperature might be the only symptom in babies or young children. Mild deafness – caused by fluid which builds up from the infection.

An instrument called a pneumatic otoscope is often the only specialized tool a doctor needs to diagnose an ear infection. This instrument enables the doctor to look in the ear and judge whether there is fluid behind the eardrum. With the pneumatic otoscope, the doctor gently puffs air against the eardrum.

An otoscope is a small handheld device with a magnifying glass and a light source at the end. Using an otoscope, a doctor can examine the ear to look for signs of fluid in the middle ear, which may indicate an infection.

Acute mastoiditis is infection of this bone, caused by prior acute otitis media. The symptoms include reddened and swollen skin over the mastoid, fever, discharge from the ear and intense pain. This is a serious condition.

Unlike middle and outer ear infections, pain is not a symptom of inner ear infections.

Otitis externa is a condition that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and eardrum. Otitis externa is often referred to as "swimmer's ear" because repeated exposure to water can make the ear canal more vulnerable to inflammation.

Outer ear infections may heal on their own without treatment. Antibiotic eardrops are the most common treatment for an outer ear infection that hasn't healed on its own. They can be prescribed by your doctor. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotic drops mixed with steroids to reduce swelling in the ear canal.

What are the symptoms of middle ear infection in adults? ›

Outer ear infection

Redness of the ear canal, ear pain, draining fluids and discharge of pus are signs of swimmer's ear (otitis externa). Untreated, the infection can spread to nearby tissue and bone.

An infection of the middle ear, or an ear with otitis media, looks red, bulging, and there may be clear, yellow, or even greenish hued drainage.

Symptoms persist – or get worse – over two to three days. Infection is recurring. A child who has three or more ear infections in a six-month period (or four infections in 12 months) may be referred to a specialist for pressure equalization tubes. Pain is severe.

An untreated infection can spread to other nearby tissue in and around the ear, and in rare cases even into the skull, resulting in meningitis. Infections will more commonly spread to the mastoid, just behind the ear, which can damage the bone and form pus-filled cysts.

Hydrogen peroxide is a solution (liquid) that can be used to treat ear infections or the build-up of wax. It is generally safe to use in all ears. Do not use if it irritates you or causes pain.

Antibiotics are a medicine prescribed by your doctor. If you're dealing with an ear infection caused by bacteria, you'll likely need antibiotics. They are the best way of quickly getting rid of a bacterial infection and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body.

A doctor can diagnose a middle ear infection by asking about symptoms and examining your child. The doctor will look inside your child's ear to examine the eardrum and look for pus in the middle ear. The body's immune system can often fight off middle ear infection on its own.

Definition. Suspected ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the health care provider. The most common type of ear infection is called otitis media. It is caused by swelling and infection of the middle ear.

Amoxicillin is a first-choice antibiotic for adults with otitis media. It's typically taken by mouth 2 to 3 times daily for 5 to 10 days. Your symptoms should start to improve within 3 days after starting it. Augmentin is a common alternative if amoxicillin isn't effective.

What does a severe ear infection feel like? ›

The symptoms of an ear infection in adults are: Earache (either a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain) A sharp stabbing pain with immediate warm drainage from the ear canal. A feeling of fullness in the ear.

An undiagnosed ear infection can cause people to experience pain in their teeth and jaw due to the proximity of your mouth to your ears. If you feel pain in your ear(s), jaw, and teeth, it might be worth a trip to the doctor to rule out if you have an ear infection and to get proper treatment.

To treat the pain associated with ear infections, the AAP and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend use of an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever—like TYLENOL^® or MOTRIN^®—as stand-alone treatment or in combination with antibiotics.

Acute outer ear infections come on suddenly and usually go away within six weeks. They can come back (recur) after they've cleared up. Chronic outer ear infections cause ongoing symptoms that last for three months or more.

Sleep position

Rest with your head on two or more pillows, so your affected ear is higher than the rest of your body. Or if your left ear has an infection, sleep on your right side. Less pressure equals less ear pain. It could be effective, though a few inches may not make a big difference in pressure measurement.

Tips to Help You Sleep Better with an Ear Infection

Since the eustachian tubes in the infected ears can only drain into the throat, try keeping the infected ear elevated by sleeping on the opposite side of the one infected. This way the tube will be above the throat, and the ear will most certainly drain sooner.

Ear infection symptoms can worsen at night because the pressure is greater. Laying down can back up the drainage in the middle ear, causing pressure and pain. “This makes sense due to gravity and laying down,” Dr. Johnson explains.

Steam from a humidifier, shower, or bath can have the same effect as a warm compress. It helps to open and relax airways, thus reducing ear pressure and easing pain.

You should contact your doctor immediately if: The symptoms do not improve within 3 days. Body temperature rises above 100.4 degrees as an accompanying fever could indicate a more serious infection. Ear infections are being experienced regularly, as they can eventually lead to hearing loss.

How do you clean an outer ear infection? ›

Irrigate your ear canal liberally with a 1:1 mixture of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. This can be done twice daily for active infections or every other day for maintenance. Use a generous amount enough to fill the canal. Let is sit for a few minutes then shake out the excess.

You should see a doctor if ear infection symptoms last longer than a day or two. Common symptoms of ear infections include ear pain, frequent fluid drainage of the ear, hearing problems, and headaches. You should not hesitate to contact your doctor soon after experiencing symptoms if they are intense.

Popping your ears can help open the eustachian tube, allowing fluid to drain. The simplest way to pop your ears is to yawn, chew, or swallow. You may also want to try popping your ears using something called the Valsalva maneuver: Take a deep breath and hold it.

Inner ear infections will usually clear up by themselves within a few weeks, although some can last for six weeks or more. If the symptoms are severe or they don't start to improve within a few days, then you should see a doctor. The doctor might prescribe antibiotics if the infection appears to be caused by bacteria.

Outer ear infections are often very painful– especially when you touch or tug on your earlobe. Itching is common too. The skin in the ear canal is red and swollen, and sometimes also sheds skin flakes or oozes a liquid. The ear might then become blocked, making it difficult to hear properly.

How Doctors Diagnose Ear Infections. The only way to know for sure if your child has one is for a doctor to look inside her ear with a tool called an otoscope, a tiny flashlight with a magnifying lens. A healthy eardrum (shown here) looks sort of clear and pinkish-gray. An infected one looks red and swollen.

The body's immune system can often fight off middle ear infection on its own. Antibiotics are sometimes not needed for middle ear infections. However, severe middle ear infections or infections that last longer than 2–3 days need antibiotics right away.

Amoxicillin is the go-to antibiotic for treating ear infections in adults and children.

When should I go to the doctor for an inner ear infection? ›

Sometimes ear infections resolve without medical intervention within a few days. However, if the pain isn't getting better, you're running a fever or having trouble hearing, you should also seek urgent medical attention.

Place a cold pack or cold wet washcloth on the outer ear for 20 minutes to reduce pain. Chewing may help relieve the pain and pressure of an ear infection. (Gum can be a choking hazard for young children.) Resting in an upright position instead of lying down can reduce pressure in the middle ear.

Ibuprofen basics

As the name suggests, it tends to be most helpful for discomfort that goes hand in hand with inflammation, which can include redness, swelling, heat, pain and/or loss of function at the site or source. That makes it a smart pick for pain such as: Back and neck pain. Earache.