Ear infection: what to do and when to worry

Ear pain can be surprisingly intense. It can appear after a cold, during a respiratory infection, after swimming, or together with a feeling of pressure, blocked hearing, or fluid in the ear. The first instinct is often to look for drops or painkillers, but ear symptoms need a little context before choosing what to do.

An ear infection is not always the same thing. The outer ear canal can be involved, the middle ear can become inflamed, and sometimes the discomfort is not even caused by an infection at all. Jaw problems, dental pain, wax buildup, throat infections, or pressure changes can also make the ear hurt.

This article summarizes the key points from my health video on ear infections. It is educational and does not replace advice from your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional.

What An Ear Infection Can Mean

Otitis is a general term for inflammation of the ear. Otitis externa affects the outer ear canal and is often linked to water, irritation, or small skin injuries. Otitis media affects the middle ear and often follows a cold or upper respiratory infection, especially in children.

The symptoms may overlap, but the management can be different. That is why it is useful to notice whether there is fever, discharge, hearing loss, recent swimming, recent cold symptoms, or pain when touching the outer ear.

Common Symptoms

Ear infection can cause pain, pressure, reduced hearing, ringing, fever, fluid or discharge, itching, or a blocked sensation. Children may be irritable, sleep badly, touch the ear repeatedly, or have fever after a cold.

Pain alone does not always tell us how serious the problem is. A mild-looking ear can hurt a lot, while a more important infection can sometimes be less dramatic at first. The overall picture matters.

What You Can Do Safely

Pain relief is often the first practical step. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help when they are appropriate for the person, age, weight, and medical history. Always follow the package leaflet or professional advice.

Avoid putting random products into the ear, especially if there is discharge, possible eardrum perforation, tubes, previous ear surgery, or significant hearing loss. In those situations, ear drops should be chosen carefully and usually require medical guidance.

What To Avoid

Do not insert cotton swabs deeply into the ear canal. They can push wax further in, irritate the skin, or cause small injuries that make symptoms worse.

Also avoid using leftover antibiotic drops or oral antibiotics without a diagnosis. Not all ear pain is bacterial, and the wrong product can be useless or even inappropriate.

When To Ask For Medical Help

Medical advice is important if ear pain is severe, lasts more than a short time, or is associated with high fever, discharge, swelling around the ear, dizziness, strong headache, facial weakness, significant hearing loss, or symptoms in a very young child.

You should also be more cautious if the person is immunocompromised, has diabetes, has recurrent ear infections, or has had ear surgery. These situations deserve a more careful evaluation.

Watch The Video

• Full video: Ear infection: what to do and when to worry

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