Because one of the main causes of an ear infection is through your ear being exposed to water, pay particular attention to itching that arises in the days soon after you have gone swimming. Infections due to fungi cause greater itchiness than those due to bacteria.
In most cases, the infection will only take place in one ear.
This discomfort even more clearly indicates an ear infection if you can make it worse by pulling on your outer ear (called the pinna) or by pushing on the little bump on the front of your ear (called the tragus). Pinna and tragus-induced irritations are considered classic findings in swimmer’s ear.
Drainage quickly becomes yellow coloured and foul smelling as the infection progresses.
There is a difference between swimmers ear, an infection in the ear canal usually due to water exposure, and a middle ear infection (otitis media). Otitis media usually occurs during or after an upper respiratory infection or with allergies. Your doctor can help determine which type of infection you may have and the proper treatment. Do not rely on over-the-counter ear drops. These drops usually do not have effective medication in them to clear the infection and you will need a prescription from your doctor for antibiotic or antifungal ear drops. Your doctor will examine your ear using an otoscope, which she gently inserts into the beginning of your ear canal. The otoscope helps her see the condition of the ear canal as well as the ear drum (tympanic membrane), which are not visible to you. Your doctor may also take a swab of your ear to determine the nature of the discharge. This is how the doctor will be able to confirm whether you need antibiotic or antifungal medication. The swab will need to be sent to a lab, but your doctor will start you on drops in the meantime. Your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotic ear drops to treat swimmers ear. The drops may also contain a steroid medicine to reduce inflammation and pain. She will also give you recommendations to help treat the pain until the infection has cleared.
You will have a feeling of fullness inside the affected ear and partial blockage due to the build up. The pain and feeling of fullness may take a few days to arise and may be worse on yawning and swallowing.
Pus is a yellowy-thick fluid that exudes from infections and usually smells bad. Use a clean tissue to dry wipe the pus from your outer ear.
The change in hearing is related to the blockage in your ear canal. Cover your unaffected ear and see how well you hear out of the affected ear.
You should see your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if you have severe symptoms.
Use the middle 3 fingers of your hand to check your lymph nodes. Press gently down the sides of your neck and under your jaw line for swelling.
A fever will generally be anything over 37. 3C or 99F. There are different ways to monitor a fever, including using tympanic, or ear, thermometers. If you have an ear infection, be sure to take your temperature in the opposite ear. The infection will naturally increase the temperature in the affected ear so you want to be sure you get a true reading of your body temperature.
