An untreated infection can spread to other nearby tissue in and around the ear, and in rare cases even into the skull, resulting in meningitis. Infections will more commonly spread to the mastoid, just behind the ear, which can damage the bone and form pus-filled cysts.
Further problems
Complications of middle ear infections are fairly rare, but can be serious if they do occur. Most complications are the result of the infection spreading to another part of the ear or head, including: the bones behind the ear (mastoiditis) the inner ear (labyrinthitis)
Seek emergency care if you have any of the following symptoms: Pain in an ear with or without fever. Itching of the ear or ear canal. Loss of hearing or difficulty hearing in one or both ears.
Allergies, post nasal drainage, sinus infections, common cold viruses and adenoid problems can all interfere with the Eustachian tube's ability to let air pass into the middle ear.
If you have a middle-ear infection that doesn't get better, you may need to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist). You may need a CT scan or MRI to check for head and neck cancer.
The only way to know for sure if your child has one is for a doctor to look inside her ear with a tool called an otoscope, a tiny flashlight with a magnifying lens. A healthy eardrum (shown here) looks sort of clear and pinkish-gray. An infected one looks red and swollen.
A healthy eardrum looks pinkish-gray. An infection of the middle ear, or an ear with otitis media, looks red, bulging, and there may be clear, yellow, or even greenish hued drainage.
Acute mastoiditis
The symptoms include reddened and swollen skin over the mastoid, fever, discharge from the ear and intense pain. This is a serious condition. Untreated, acute mastoiditis can lead to deafness, blood poisoning, meningitis and paralysis of the face.
The average person experiences a middle ear infection for about 3 days, with symptoms sometimes lasting for a week. As mentioned earlier, ear infections will occasionally go away on their own in a couple of days.
a ringing or buzzing sound in your ear (tinnitus) earache or ear pain. itching in your ear. clear fluid, blood or pus leaking from your ear.
There are three main types of ear infections: acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), and otitis externa, also known as swimmer's ear. The symptoms of these ear infections are very similar and can include: Earache. Fever.
Call Your Doctor If:
Ear pain lasts more than 3 days on antibiotics. Ear discharge is not better after 3 days on antibiotics. You think your child needs to be seen. Your child becomes worse.
Some people develop an allergy or sensitivity to the ear drops used for otitis externa. You can be allergic to the antibiotic or to the preservative. The itch and discharge may then become worse when you use the drops, rather than better.
Sleep position
Rest with your head on two or more pillows, so your affected ear is higher than the rest of your body. Or if your left ear has an infection, sleep on your right side. Less pressure equals less ear pain. It could be effective, though a few inches may not make a big difference in pressure measurement.
If you or your child has severe ear pain, bleeding ears, dizziness, or hearing loss, go to the closest emergency room for medical help.
Ear infections, as a general rule, tend to last for just a few days. The infection typically takes place in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, and should clear up within a few days. Symptoms of an ear infection include: Pain in the ear.
If you experience ear pain that doesn't go away or gets worse within 24 to 48 hours you should call your doctor's office. Also call your doctor if you have severe pain that suddenly stops. This could be a sign that your eardrum has ruptured.
An ear infection happens when fluid in the interior space behind the eardrum becomes infected, usually with bacteria. The tube leading into the body becomes blocked, and fluid builds up behind the eardrum. The increased pressure pushes the eardrum outward, causing pain and fever.
Ear infections are not contagious. Your child can safely return to child care or school after the pain and fever subside.
Antibiotics are a medicine prescribed by your doctor. If you're dealing with an ear infection caused by bacteria, you'll likely need antibiotics. They are the best way of quickly getting rid of a bacterial infection and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body.
How Long Does It Take for an Ear Infection to Clear Up? Many mild ear infections will clear up in two or three days. If antibiotics are prescribed, the course is usually ten days. However, fluid in the ear may linger for a few weeks even after the infection clears up.