Ear infections are more common among children, but that doesn’t mean they can’t affect adults as well!
If you are unsure what an ear infection looks like or what to watch out for, our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team shares some helpful info below, so read on!
What Are Ear Infections?
An ear infection occurs when a bacterial or viral infection affects the middle ear, which is the section of your ear just behind the eardrum. Ear infections can be painful because of inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle ear.
Technically, there are three types of ear infections—inner, middle and outer—but a middle ear infection is much more common than the other two. We’ve listed the common symptoms of an ear infection below.
Common Ear Infection Symptoms
- 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
- Nausea
- Muffled hearing
- Ear drainage
When Should I Talk to a Doctor About an Ear Infection?
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it’s highly like that you have an ear infection. In order to avoid long-term health complications like hearing loss or a ruptured eardrum, you should visit our AFC center to get the necessary treatment.
We’ve listed some common treatments of ear infections below.
Common Ear Infection Treatments
- Apply a warm cloth to the affected ear.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Use over-the-counter or prescription ear drops to relieve pain.
- Take over-the-counter decongestants such as pseudoephedrine.
- Take an antibiotic, if one is prescribed.
From ear infections to bone breaks, AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway can provide the care that you need! No appointments are needed at our center, so don’t hesitate to walk in or give us a call.
