Download Earaches: Swimmer`s Ear vs. Middle Ear Infection Brooke Hudson

Earaches: Swimmer’s Ear vs. Middle Ear Infection Brooke Hudson, A.R.N.P. Ear disorders are common among children. There are two different types of ear infections, otitis externa (often called swimmer’s ear) and otitis media. It is important to know the difference in these two types of infections and in order to prevent them and treat them effectively. Otitis Externa affects the outer ear canal. Many people also refer to this as swimmer’s ear, even though swimming is only one cause of this type of infection. In otitis externa there is inflammation to the outer ear canal, the area in front of the tympanic membrane (ear drum); it is the area that you can feel when you stick your finger in your ear. These infections are common in the summer months and frequent swimming can be the culprit of otitis externa. There is pain in the ear lobe and when touching the ear, also many children may complain of itching and there may be discharge coming from the ear. The infections are treated with prescription eardrops and occasionally even oral antibiotics. In extreme cases, an ear wick may have to be inserted in the canal to keep it open because there is too much inflammation to allow the drops to be inserted into the ear. Swimmer’s ear many be prevented by applying in ear canals a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part rubbing alcohol and drying ears with a hair drying on the cool setting after swimming. Otitis media may be divided into acute otitis media and serous otitis media. Acute otitis media or an acute middle ear infection is what people typically think of with they hear “ear infection”. The ear infection is behind the tympanic membrane/ear drum where there are tiny bones that transmit vibrations that go to the hearing organs in the inner ear. The middle ear is directly connected to the back of the throat by the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube may become inflamed when a child has a cold or even allergies and the swelling this tube does not allow the fluid to drain for the ear, and this may cause an ear infection. Acute middle ear infections are very painful and may result in pus filling the area behind the tympanic membrane and may be accompanied by ringing in the ear and fever. It is important to adequately treat an ear infection because prolonged ear infections may lead to permanent hearing impairment. Young children that have many or prolonged ear infections may have difficulty with speech and language development. In this case, tubes may be inserted into the eardrum preventing fluid accumulation. In severe cases, the pressure may become so great that the eardrum ruptures and this results in blood or mucous to drain from the middle ear, this is usually painful and should be evaluated by a health care professional immediately. There may also be drainage associated with swimmer’s ear, which makes it crucial to bring patients to their health care provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. Oral antibiotics may be necessary for middle ear infections. Prescription eardrops do not help middle ear infections. In cases of extremely painful middle ear infections, prescription ear numbing drops may be prescribed. There is another type of middle ear condition called serous otitis media, which is when sterile, clear (not pus filled) fluid accumulated behind the tympanic membrane. This may result in the ears feeling clogged. Antibiotics are not needed for this type of ear condition but decongestants and nasal steroid sprays may be prescribed to help open the Eustachian tube and drain the fluid from the middle ear. This type of fluid accumulation is also important to treat because prolonged fluid in the middle ear may result in hearing loss. Ear tubes may be inserted in extreme cases that do not respond to treatment.