Ear infections are a common illness. They often occur following another illness and can be viral or bacterial. Ear infections most commonly affect children, however, they can affect anyone at any age. Ear infections most commonly occur in the middle ear and cause pressure against the eardrum which can be extremely painful. If you’re experiencing pain in your ear, you may be wondering whether you have an ear infection and whether you should wait and see if the pain will resolve on its own. This article will explain what causes ear infections, the common symptoms and whether ear infections can heal on their own.
For same-day illness diagnosis and treatment, walk into AFC Urgent Care Thornton today. Our dedicated staff of board-certified medical providers are experienced in accurately diagnosing and treating a wide variety of common illnesses - including ear infections. Walk into the clinic when it's convenient for you, or reserve your spot using the button below. For more information regarding our services, contact the clinic directly by calling (720) 751-2910.
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What Causes an Ear Infection?
Ear infections can happen for a variety of different reasons. Young children are most susceptible to developing an ear infection because their inner ear tubes are so small and prone to becoming congested with fluid. In adults, ear infections most commonly occur due to an infection forcing the ear canal to swell, which traps fluid in the inner ear and causes an infection. This can occur due to various different infections, meaning that ear infections can be bacterial or viral.
There are certainly circumstances where an ear infection can occur for a reason that is unrelated to an illness. Swimming or showering and not getting all of the water out of your ear after can lead to an infection in the ear canal. Allergies can also cause swelling in the ear canal which can lead to an ear infection.
How to Know if You Have an Ear Infection
Ear infections are easy to identify due to the intense pain in the ear that they can cause. There are few other conditions which can mimic the symptoms of an ear infection. However, it can be difficult to determine exactly what kind of ear infection you have based on symptoms alone. That is why it is important to seek medical care if you are experiencing ear pain for proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you seek medical care for ear pain and suspect you may have an ear infection, your medical provider will evaluate your symptoms. This will include discussing any additional illness symptoms you may have, and reviewing any activities such as swimming which could have led to an ear infection. Following an examination of your ear, your medical provider may run diagnostic tests to determine whether there is bacteria present.
Treatment Options for Ear Infections Near Thornton, CO
In some cases, ear infections can heal on their own. If your infection is very mild and the swelling resolves within a few days you may not require medical care. However, due to the location of the infection, it is difficult to clean the affected area and keep it dry enough for the infection to resolve on its own in some cases. Because of this, you should always promptly seek medical care if you are experiencing ear pain.
Delaying care for an ear infection can allow symptoms time to progress and become worse. Not only will this make your symptoms worse, however, it will result in a longer recovery time. Depending on the cause of your infection, your healthcare provider may provide at-home care instruction, suggest OTC medications or prescribe antibiotics to treat your ear infection.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Thornton for Walk-In Ear Infection Treatment in Thornton, CO
If you’re experiencing ear pain, you should always seek medical care. Delaying care can lead to eardrum damage. At AFC Urgent Care Thornton, your health is our number one priority. Our medical providers are board certified and will develop a customized treatment plan to ensure a swift recovery from your symptoms. Our clinic maintains short wait times and accepts walk-in patients for same-day illness care. Simply walk into the clinic, or reserve your spot online below.
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At AFC Urgent Care Thornton, we want to ensure everyone can access the healthcare that they need. That is why we offer cost-effective healthcare and accept most medical insurance plans. Our clinic is state-of-the-art and able to quickly and effectively diagnose and treat a variety of common illnesses. Simply walk in today.
