John Carew, MD, is accredited by the Board of Otorhinolaryngology and is an adjunct assistant professor at New York University Medical Center.

Ear infections occur when fluid accumulation in the ear causes obstruction and inflammation. In adults, ear infections are usually treated with prescription medications such as over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers or antibiotics.

This article will discuss the types of ear infections and their symptoms and treatments.

Ears are divided into outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Infections can occur in any of these areas, but bacterial infections of the inner ear are extremely rare.

Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause ear infections. Infections may be caused by diseases, such as colds or allergies.

Ear infections usually occur when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter one of the three areas of the ear and cause an infection.

External ear infections are sometimes called swimming ear disease or external otitis. This is an ear canal infection. The ear canal is the part that leads from the outside and ends at the tympanic membrane. The opening in this part of the ear is visible from the outside.

External ear infections are called swimming ear diseases because they are sometimes caused by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

However, this is not the only way to get an external ear infection. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can enter the outer ear in a variety of ways, especially through broken skin. When a moist environment helps them grow, it usually leads to infection.

Symptoms of external ear infections may include:

More serious infections can cause swelling of the ear canal, which can cause hearing loss, fever, or pus in the ear that looks like pus.

External ear infections can be diagnosed by examining the ear canal with an otoscope (a special tool with a light on the end that can easily see the inside of the ear).

The best way to prevent external ear infections is to keep the ears as clean and dry as possible. Do not put objects in the ear canal, and gently dry your ears after swimming or bathing. You can do this by tilting your head to one side and letting the water flow out.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, including Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen), can be used to relieve pain associated with external ear infections. You can also use hot compresses to relieve pain.

Specific ear drops can be used to treat swimmer’s ears, including Debrox swimmer ear drops, Auro Dri ear drops and Swim EAR drops. There are a variety of home remedies recommended for swimmers’ ears, including rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or baby oil, but you should consult your healthcare provider before applying any of these substances to swimmer’s ears.

Antibiotic ear drops are commonly used to treat external ear infections. Some prescription ear drops, such as Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone), combine antibiotics and steroid drugs to help relieve inflammation.

Ear drops should be used exactly as prescribed and for the correct length of time.

The treatment of external ear infections usually does not require oral antibiotics, but may need to be used in some cases. If you are prescribed oral antibiotics, unless your healthcare provider instructs otherwise, please make sure you take them exactly as prescribed.

Complications are rare, but some people are at higher risk, including those with compromised immune systems, diabetes, or those who are undergoing cancer treatments that make it difficult for their bodies to fight off infections.

If left untreated, external ear infections can lead to a disease called malignant otitis externa. The infection can spread to nearby tissues and bones, causing serious damage.

The middle ear is inside. It starts behind the tympanic membrane and reaches the oval window (the area between the middle ear and the inner ear). It contains three small bones, called ossicles, which are necessary for hearing function.

The auditory tube (eustachian tube) extends from the middle ear to the throat. Its function is to ventilate and balance middle ear pressure. The fluid from the middle ear space flows into the throat and is usually swallowed.

A middle ear infection is called otitis media. When otitis media is accompanied by middle ear effusion, the ear infection is called serous otitis media or exudative otitis media.

Middle ear infections usually occur after a cold virus or upper respiratory tract infection. They are also more common in individuals with allergies or enlarged adenoids (tissues in the throat and nose), which inhibit the normal functioning of the auditory tube.

Bacteria, viruses, or fungi often enter through the auditory tube, and then they swell and become blocked by mucus, obstructing drainage and ventilation of the middle ear.

The main symptoms of middle ear infections include:

Health care providers can diagnose middle ear infections based on symptoms and tests, which include examining the tympanic membrane with an otoscope (a special tool used to look inside the ear).

Middle ear infections usually resolve on their own, so treatment focuses more on symptom management to relieve pain.

Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be given to relieve pain associated with middle ear infections. If available, these drugs can also reduce fever.

Sometimes applying heat and keeping the upper body elevated to help drain the ear tube can help relieve the pain caused by middle ear infections.

Antibiotics are only effective for treating middle ear infections caused by bacteria.

However, it is not always possible to determine the source of the middle ear infection-whether it is a bacteria or a virus. Your healthcare provider may choose to treat the infection by prescribing antibiotics or waiting for the infection to improve on its own.

Some people may have chronic or recurrent middle ear infections. Although rare, persistent or untreated middle ear infections can have a variety of complications, including:

The inner ear is located within the temporal bone near the middle ear. The inner ear contains semicircular canals, which are essential for balance and balance.

Compared with bacterial infections, inner ear infections are more likely to be caused by viruses. They are much less common than external ear infections or middle ear infections.

The most common inner ear infections include labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis, which are slightly different.

Labyrinth can affect the labyrinth, which is a fluid-filled sac system that helps you hear sounds and gives you a sense of balance. Labyrinthitis can cause hearing changes and dizziness or vertigo.

Vestibular neuritis is an inner ear infection that affects the vestibular nerve. It usually causes dizziness and balance problems, but there is no hearing change.

There is no specific diagnostic test to identify inner ear infections, so misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is common.

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Antivert (meclizine) are two over-the-counter medicines that can be used to treat dizziness and nausea associated with inner ear infections.

Over-the-counter medications can help relieve the symptoms of inner ear infections, but they cannot treat the actual infection.

Several different prescription drugs can be used to treat or manage symptoms caused by inner ear infections, including:

Excessive nausea and vomiting may cause patients with inner ear infections to be hospitalized and require intravenous fluids.

Permanent hearing loss or chronic vestibular problems (problems with balance and dizziness) can also be complications of inner ear infections.

Ear infections can be painful and interfere with your ability to work. It is important to remember that almost all ear infections can be cured with prompt treatment. If you have symptoms of an ear infection, please meet with a healthcare professional to discuss your condition.

It is not always possible to determine the exact source of the ear infection. However, if ear drainage is present, a sample of the drainage can be sent to the laboratory for testing and bacteria can be identified.

Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually effective in reducing the pain associated with ear infections. If the temperature is adjusted properly, a heating pad can also help. For middle ear infections, keeping the upper body elevated may reduce some of the pressure in the ears.

Some ear infections will go away without antibiotics. If you have mild symptoms or your health care provider suspects that you have the virus, they may choose not to prescribe antibiotics and instead monitor the infection to see if it will get better on its own.

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