Otitis Media 

Oftentimes in adults an inner ear infection is preceded by an exacerbation of seasonal allergies or an URI – upper respiratory infection aka a “common cold”. Inner ear infections can be viral or bacterial.

Common symptoms of inner ear infections:

• increasing inner ear pressure and pain
• sensation of ear fullness
• decreased hearing
• headache
• jaw pain
• swollen glands in the adjacent neck and behind the ear
• headache 
• malodorous ear drainage in the case of more severe infections causing rupture of the ear drum

Common Causes

Common bacterial causes of inner ear infections are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, while a common viral cause is Haemophilus influenzae.

Take a look at the inner ear to see how ear infections can have an impact.

Treatment

Acute Otitis Media may need to be treated with an oral antibiotic.

A same day telemedicine appointment can help treat ear infections. 

Otitis Externa 

External ear infections tend to occur more frequently in the summer months versus the winter months. Summer humidity and water activities are regarded as the culprit. Outer ear infections can be bacterial or less commonly, fungal.

Symptoms of outer ear infections:

• outer ear itching
• outer ear swelling and pain
• outer ear is increasingly tender to the touch
• outer ear redness
• increasing swelling of the outer ear making the ear canal (opening) smaller
• ear discharge
• swollen glands in the adjacent neck and behind the ear
• fever
• headache

Fun Fact:

Did you know? Ear wax is healthy and protective of the inner ear canal. Ear wax is acidic which helps to limit the growth of bacteria and fungus in the inner ear, wax also acts like a barrier to reduce water entry into the inner ear.

Common Causes

Several factors can provoke an outer ear infection. Water activities, for instance, swimming, surfing, or soaking in hot tubs can introduce problematic bacterias. Any trauma to the external ear can set the stage, for example, scratching, overzealous cleaning which can leave micro tears in the skin barrier allowing bacteria or fungus to penetrate the tissue deeper causing infection.

Physical objects used on the ear, such as ear phones, hearing aids or swim caps can introduce bacteria and fungus. Chronic conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can also set the stage, as can allergic reactions to things like soaps, shampoos or other skin care products.

Treatment

Acute Otitis Externa is best treated with antibiotic or antifungal ear drops as appropriate.