Ear pain can have many different causes. If you’re experiencing discomfort in your ear, you may be suffering from an ear infection. There are many different kinds of ear infections and whether your symptoms require medication to heal will depend on what has led to the infection. If your ear pain is making it difficult to go about your daily life or if your symptoms last for more than three days, you routinely experience ear infections, or your symptoms include issues like a high fever or hearing loss, you should seek medical care.
For rapid same-day diagnosis and treatment for ear pain, AFC Urgent Care Braintree is here to help. Our board-certified medical providers are trained to quickly and accurately diagnose ear pain so that you can get the treatment required to clear up the infection. Our clinic accepts walk-in patients and is conveniently located for patients in Braintree, MA, and the surrounding communities. Simply walk into the clinic today, or schedule an appointment online.
What Causes Ear Infections?
An ear infection is caused by bacteria growing in the ear canal. It can happen on either side of the eardrum in the outer, middle, or inner ear canals. Children frequently experience ear infections, because liquids easily become trapped due to the small size of their ear canals. A common cause of ear infections is trapped water, which then erodes the skin inside the ear and causes an infection. Extreme congestion from another illness can also lead to your ear canals becoming clogged and lead to an infection. Regardless of the origin of the infection, ear infections can be extremely painful to deal with so it is best to seek medical care if you’re experiencing discomfort in your ear.
Are There Different Types Of Ear Infections?
Ear infections are often categorized by where the infection occurs. Certain areas of the ear are more prone to infections than others. Similarly, the location of the infection can impact the level of pain that the infection causes. Some common types of ear infections include:
- Outer Ear Infections: These infections are frequently caused by water in the ear and are sometimes called swimmer’s ear. If water doesn’t drain properly, bacteria can lead to pain, swelling, redness, and a discharge from the ear.
- Middle Ear Infections: If fluid builds up behind the eardrum it can cause swelling in the middle of the ear. This can cause difficulty with hearing as well as pain and discomfort.
- Inner Ear Infections: The inner structures of our ears don’t just help us with hearing but also balance. When an ear infection is deep inside the ear you can experience nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and hearing loss.
Should I See A Doctor for Ear Pain?
Like many medical ailments, there are a few reasons to seek medical care for ear pain and discomfort. The severity of symptoms, duration of symptoms, recurrence of symptoms, and combination of symptoms all play a role in whether or not you should seek medical care.
Ear infections can go away on their own, but they can be extremely painful. This means that seeking medical care early for symptoms of an ear infection may help you prevent your symptoms from worsening over time. The most common treatment option for ear infections is to use medicated ear drops that can help kill the bacteria that caused the infection. It can take a few days for the medication to alleviate your symptoms, so over-the-counter pain medications and warm compresses can be used to help manage discomfort.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Braintree for Ear Infection Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re experiencing symptoms of an ear infection, it is beneficial to seek medical care before your symptoms become severe. At AFC Urgent Care Braintree, our walk-in clinic offers same-day care with short wait times to patients in Braintree, MA, and the surrounding communities. Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to accurately diagnose and provide treatment for common illnesses such as ear infections. Our clinic offers affordable care and accepts most medical insurance plans. Simply walk into the clinic or schedule your visit online.
