It’s 3 a.m., you’re exhausted, and the baby is screaming at the top of her lungs. Something is wrong, and it’s not just a dirty diaper. This could be one of the signs of an ear infection!
If your baby has an ear infection, you’re not alone. Ear infections are second only to upper respiratory infections when it comes to emergency room diagnoses in infants and children.
There are different types of ear infections, and in this article, we’ll explain them. We’ll also discuss some treatment options.
The Three Different Types of Ear Infections
Ear infections breakdown into three main types:
- Otitis media – middle ear infection
- Inner ear infection or labyrinthitis
- Otitis externa or swimmer’s ear
Symptoms for all three types of ear infections are similar, though symptoms vary by child. Some children don’t seem to have a lot of pain while others experience extreme pain.
What are the causes of an ear infection? Children tend to get ear infections more than adults because they have short, narrow eustachian tubes that don’t drain well. They also have immature immune systems.
Symptoms include earache, headache, pain in the ear, fever, ear drainage, and a feeling of fullness inside the ear.
Otitis Media
Acute otitis media is one of the most common types of ear infections and occurs mostly in young children. Behind the eardrum lies the middle ear. When the middle ear is infected and inflamed, this is acute otitis media.
Otitis media is common when there’s blockage of the eustachian tube from a cold or allergies. The eustachian tube is the drain of the middle ear but when it’s blocked, the fluid builds. When the fluid builds up, it often gets infected.
Symptoms include fever, pain, and fluid leaking from the ear.
Inner Ear Infection – Labyrinthitis
An inflamed inner ear is labyrinthitis. The labyrinth is inside the inner ear and part of its job is controlling balance. Viral and bacterial ear infections often cause labyrinthitis.
The onset of symptoms of an inner ear infection is often fast and intense. There is often nausea, dizziness, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Sometimes it’s hard to focus the eyes and the patient may have trouble balancing. There may be some temporary hearing loss.
Otitis Externa – Swimmer’s Ear
Is the outer ear itchy, painful, or swollen? Outer ear infections (otitis externa) are caused by bacteria in residual water in the outer ear area. That’s why it’s called swimmer’s ear.
People who swim a lot often have water sitting in the outer ear. If there’s a small cut or sore, it’s easy for bacteria to grow into an infection. Colloidal silver benefits these types of ear infections and may help with other types too.
Getting Rid of an Ear Infection
There are different types of ear infections but they all cause pain. If you suspect you or your child has an ear infection, it’s time to call the doctor. Getting rid of an ear infection isn’t difficult but often requires a doctor’s prescription.
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