How can you tell if you have an ear infection? Watch out for these symptoms:
In most cases, all the infection symptoms are very straightforward. Either you have terrible ear pain when you’re lying down or you have trouble hearing with that ear. But contrary to popular belief, some symptoms are more subtle and go undiscovered until they become serious and you need medical attention.
These symptoms, which can range from a persistent ache in your ear that often goes unnoticed and leads people to use cotton buds to remove the wax, to a slight loss of balance that you’ve been dismissing as tiredness, require further investigation. Come along as we investigate the silent symptoms, which may hold the secret to reducing suffering and avoiding more serious health issues.
Fever
Fever and changes in appetite may also indicate an underlying infection of the ears; however, they are less specific to the ear and call for additional clinical evaluation. As your body’s immune reaction ramps to fight viruses, fever—a core body temperature over the usual range of 98.6°F (37°C)—often follows infections. It’s a general sign that an infection might occur anywhere, even in the ear.
Low appetite
You may have a decrease in appetite, which is a common sign of otitis among other disorders. An ear infection’s pain or discomfort might make you feel sick or achy, making you forget about hunger. These symptoms, which are particularly prominent in pediatric situations, might be important markers for caregivers that a kid is ill.
We advise you to seek medical advice in case you experience both a loss of appetite and a fever. It may not be related to an infection in the ear, but it can indicate an issue somewhere else in your body. An otoscopic examination can confirm the diagnosis and direct the necessary treatment to improve your health and well-being. It may be combined with tympanometry or audiometry.
Recognize your ear pain
Since ear discomfort is frequently the first and most obvious sign of an ear infection, recognizing it is essential to diagnose the condition. This discomfort will either show as a gradual, constant aching or as a sudden, intense pain. It might interfere with your regular activities and could come and go, be minor or severe in intensity.
Inflammation and fluid accumulation in the middle ear, which accompany an infection, are usually the causes of ear discomfort. Because of the variations in pressure when you lie down, you may find that this ache gets worse, especially during the night.
The pain may also worsen if you pull on your earlobe or apply pressure to the tragus, the little, pointy cartilage in front of the ear canal; this is an indication of otalgia. In addition to monitoring your ear discomfort, you should also be aware of any other associated symptoms, such as fluid discharge or hearing loss, as these might be signs of an infection that is getting worse.
As we previously stated, it’s critical to seek medical attention if the earache persists for more than two days without getting better.
While it’s recommended to go to the doctor for ear wax removal, you can do it yourself at home without cotton buds! How? This Ear Wax Removal Kit was approved by the specialists, which you can find on Amazon for the price of $18.78. They also offer a 12-month warranty in case something is wrong or damaged with the product.Â
Ear tugging
This is among the most prevalent “silent” symptoms of an ear infection. And in this situation, it’s normal for kids to pull or yank on their ears like this. They also occasionally put toys up to their ears.
Loss of hearing
Hearing problems, which are frequently linked to ear infections, may be indicated by difficulty hearing conversations or the need to crank up the volume of your electronics. This hearing loss might not only make it difficult for you to communicate, but it can also be a sign of a potentially dangerous illness that needs to be evaluated and treated right away.
Temporary conductive hearing loss might result from an ear infection. This happens when the middle ear gets swollen, which makes it more difficult for sound to reach the inner ear effectively. A middle ear infection’s signature, fluid collection, can aggravate this problem and reduce hearing acuity even further. For example, if you have constant ringing or buzzing in your ear, it might be a sign of tinnitus.
Drainage of fluid from the ear canal
Another indicator of ear infection is the unexpected drainage of fluid from the ear canal. This is a huge red flag that there is something wrong with you, and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Otorrhea is the medical term for this condition, which can take a variety of forms. It might be pus-like, bloody, or transparent. A tympanic membrane perforation—a tear in the eardrum—is frequently indicated by a clear, watery discharge. On the other hand, thick and purulent fluid is probably indicative of a middle ear bacterial infection.
These fluid features are important indicators of the type of ear problem you have, so you shouldn’t overlook them.
Disequilibrium
An ear infection can affect the vestibular system, which can impair your sense of balance and cause dizziness and even sudden falls. Inflammation and fluid accumulation in the middle ear might interfere with the vestibular system, which is essential for preserving balance. Vertigo, or the spinning sensation, is a common symptom of this disruption and may seriously interfere with your everyday activities.
But there’s more! Nystagmus, which is a less noticeable symptom, happens as a reflexive reaction to inner ear disorientation when the eyes progressively wander in one direction before quickly correcting themselves. If you notice this in yourself, please call the doctor! It’s crucial to determine and treat the infection accordingly.
Is there a difference between inner and middle ear infections? If so, what are they?
If the infection is located in the middle ear you will experience symptoms like hearing loss, pressure, and pain, but also vertigo and nausea. On the other hand, symptoms of an infection in the inner ear include a feeling of pressure inside the ear, headaches, and hearing loss.
When you should call the doctor for an appointment?
You might want to hold off on visiting a doctor for a day or two if your main complaint is an earache. Ear infections can occasionally clear up on their own in a few days. You should visit a doctor as soon as you can if the pain isn’t getting better and you have a high fever.
Furthermore, to help prevent any ear infection that may occur, you should also dry your ears completely after every bath, shower, or swim (especially in public swimming pools). Always wash your hands before touching your ears, especially before using cotton buds.
And remember that an individual may develop irreversible hearing loss and even have the infection spread to other regions of their head if they leave an ear infection untreated for an extended period.
You may also be interested in reading about 8 Subtle Signs You May Need a Hearing Aid.Â
