Fluid in the ear is one of the main effects of middle ear infection, or acute otitis media (OM). This infection occurs when fluid (usually pus) builds up inside the ear and causes pain, redness of the drum, and possibly a fever. However, fluid in the ear can also appear after the infection clears; This condition is called otitis media with effusion (OME). Ear and fluid infections are more common in children than adults. While there are some home remedies for draining ear fluid, in most cases, this fluid will go away on its own. Furthermore, treatment to address the underlying cause is the most important step.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Diagnosing the Problem
Step 1. Watch for symptoms that are related to the ear and are clearly visible
The most common symptoms of OM and OME include ear pain or a child tugging at his ear (if he can't describe the pain he is in), fussiness, fever, and even vomiting. In addition, a child may have difficulty eating or sleeping normally because lying down, chewing, and sucking can change the pressure in the ear and cause pain.
- The age group of children most commonly affected by ear infections and their discharge varies from three months to two years, so parents or caregivers should share as much information and their child's medical history as possible. So, make sure you pay attention and record all the symptoms that occur carefully.
- Be aware that OME often causes no symptoms. Some people may experience a feeling of fullness in their ears, or a "clogged" sensation.
- If you notice any discharge, pus, or blood, see a doctor immediately.
Step 2. Watch for symptoms associated with the "common cold."
Ear infections are usually thought of as secondary infections accompanying the "common cold" (primary infection). You will have a runny nose or blockage in your nostrils, cough, sore throat, and a low-grade fever for a few days. These are all symptoms of the flu.
Most flu is caused by a viral infection. Because infections like these can't be completely treated, you usually don't need medical attention. Make an appointment with your doctor only if your flu cannot be controlled through taking the right dose of Tylenol or Motrin (and the body temperature is over 38.9 °C). Take note of all flu symptoms, because the doctor will ask about your primary infection. The flu should last about a week. If you don't notice any improvement after that time, see a doctor
Step 3. Look for signs of hearing problems
OM and OME can block sound, resulting in hearing problems. Signs that your hearing may be affected include:
- Failure to respond to voice or other soft sounds
- Feel the need to turn up the TV or radio volume
- Speak in a loud voice
- Inability to pay attention in general
Step 4. Understand the potential complications
Most ear infections do not result in long-term complications, and will usually clear up on their own within 2-3 days. However, repeated infections or fluid buildup afterward can lead to some serious complications, including:
- Hearing loss - Although ear infections will indeed cause difficulty hearing, more severe disturbances can occur due to repeated infections or fluid buildup. Both of these factors can sometimes result in damage to the drum and middle ear.
- Delayed speech or other development - In young children, hearing loss can result in speech delays, especially if they have not yet learned words.
- Spreading infection - Untreated or persistent infection can spread to other tissues. You must take immediate action if this happens. Mastoiditis is an example of an infection that can cause a sharp bulge behind the ear. These bulges, which are bony, can be damaged and ulcerated with pus filled with pus. In rare cases, a middle ear infection can spread to the skull and affect the brain.
- Torn eardrum - Infection can sometimes cause a tear or crack in the eardrum. Most of these tears usually heal within three or a few days, however, certain incidents require surgery.
Step 5. Make an appointment with the doctor
If you suspect an ear infection or OME, see a doctor to confirm this diagnosis. He or she will examine the ear using an otoscope, which is a small instrument like a flashlight. This device helps him see inside the eardrum. Usually, an otoscope is the only tool needed to diagnose the ear.
- Be prepared to answer questions about the appearance and signs of the symptoms. If your child is affected, get the doctor to represent him.
- You may be referred to an ENT specialist (ear, nose, throat) – or an otolaryngologist, if your symptoms persist, recur, or do not improve after treatment.
Part 2 of 4: Draining Ear Fluid
Step 1. Use a steroid spray for the nose
This spray can be purchased over-the-counter and can help open the Eustachian tube. The way it works is by reducing inflammation in the nose, so the Eustachian tube can be free of obstructions. However, be aware that steroids may take several days to reach maximum effect; this means that you will not immediately feel relief.
Step 2. Use a decongestant
Taking over-the-counter medications or decongestants can help drain fluid from blocking the ear. You can buy it as a nasal spray or oral medication from most drug stores/pharmacies. Make sure you follow the dosing instructions on the package.
- Decongestant sprays for the nostrils should not be used for more than three days. Long-term use may increase "recurrent" swelling of the nasal passages.
- Although "recurrent" swelling is less common with oral decongestants, some people experience palpitations or an increase in blood pressure.
- Children may experience other side effects, such as hyperactivity, trouble resting, and insomnia.
- Avoid nasal sprays that contain zinc. This type of spray is associated with a permanent loss of smell (rare).
- Consult with your doctor before using decongestants, both nasal and oral spray types.
Step 3. Take antihistamine tablets
Some people find antihistamines useful, especially for chronic sinus infections. Antihistamines can relieve congestion in the nostrils.
- However, antihistamines can also cause serious side effects for the sinus passages, including drying out the mucous membranes in the tissues of the nostrils and thickening their secretions.
- Antihistamines are not recommended for minor ear infections or sinusitis.
- Other side effects include drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, or, in some children, an unstable and easily stimulated mood.
Step 4. Perform steam treatment
Home steam treatments can help open the blocked Eustachian tube and drain the fluid. All you need is a warm towel and a bowl of hot water.
- Fill a large bowl with boiling water; You can also add anti-inflammatory herbs to the water, such as eucalyptus oil or chamomile. Cover your head with a towel and position your ears over the steam. Try not to bend your neck. Stay under the towel for only 10-15 minutes.
- You can also try showering in very hot water to see if the steam helps loosen and drain ear fluid. Do not try this on children, as they cannot tolerate extreme temperature changes.
Step 5. Use a hairdryer
Although this technique is still debated and controversial and not supported by scientific evidence, some people have succeeded in using it. In essence, turn on the hairdryer on the lowest heat and blow setting. Hold it a foot or so away from the ear. The main idea is that warm, dry air can turn the fluid in the ear into a vapor so that it dissipates.
Be careful. Don't burn your ears or the sides of your face. If you are in pain or feel very hot, stop using the hairdryer
Step 6. Use a humidifier
To help clear your ears when you have an infection and improve sinus health, place a humidifier in your bedroom. Place it on a side table so that it is close to the infected ear. This way, steam will be produced and help relieve and reduce fluid buildup in the ear. A humidifier is a good option in winter because the air in most homes is very dry, which is due to the use of a centralized heating system (if you live in a country with 4 seasons).
- In fact, placing a hot water bottle near the ear may produce a similar effect and help drain the fluid.
- A humidifier that produces a cool mist is a great option for children. This is because they can reduce the risk of burns or injury.
Step 7. Be aware that all of the above methods are not supported by reliable scientific data
Most studies show that these methods are ineffective or have little effect. Eventually, the fluid in the inner ear will often come out on its own, unless it is the result of a chronic condition or a persistent ear infection.
After all, most of these treatments only treat the symptoms (eg ear discharge, blockage, etc.), not the underlying problem itself (such as OM, OME, blockage or other problems with the Eustachian tube)
Part 3 of 4: Dealing with Ear Infections and Stubborn Fluids
Step 1. Realize that there is no one absolute method for dealing with it
When determining treatment, the doctor will consider a variety of factors, including age, type, severity, duration of infection, frequency in medical history, and whether the infection causes hearing loss.
Step 2. Follow the “wait and see” approach
Often, the human immune system can combat and cure ear infections with just the passage of time (usually two to three days). The fact that most ear infections are self-limiting causes many doctors to favor this approach, which means they may prescribe pain medication, but will not prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
- In the US, The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend a "wait and see" approach for children from six months to two years of age, who have pain in one ear, and for children above. two years old, who has pain in one or both ears for less than two days, with a body temperature of less than 49 °C.
- Many doctors support this approach because antibiotics have their own limitations, including the fact that they are often overused and lead to resistance to various bacteria. In addition, antibiotics cannot treat infections caused by viruses.
Step 3. Take antibiotics
If the infection doesn't go away on its own, your doctor may prescribe a 10-day course of antibiotics, which can help clear the infection and potentially shorten symptoms. Some examples include Amoxicillin and Zithromax (this one is given if you are allergic to penicillin). Antibiotics are usually prescribed for people who have recurrent or severe and very painful infections. In most cases, antibiotics are able to clear the fluid in the ear.
- For children aged six years and over who have mild to moderate infection (based on the results of a doctor's examination), they may be given short-term antibiotic treatment (for five to seven days instead of ten).
- Be aware that benzocaine is associated with a rare, fatal condition that results in reduced oxygen in the blood, especially in children under the age of two. Do not give benzocaine to children. If you are an adult, take only in the recommended dosage. Talk to your doctor about the risks.
Step 4. Always complete the course of antibiotics
Even if your symptoms improve halfway through taking antibiotics, take them all. If you are given a prescription for 10 days, take it all in the same time frame. However, be aware that usually an improvement in the condition will occur within 48 hours. Prolonged high fever (above 37.8 °C) indicates that the body has begun to become resistant to an antibiotic. You may need other prescription medications.
Be aware that even after antibiotic treatment, fluid may remain in the ear for several months. Consult a doctor after the period of taking antibiotics is over to check for infection and determine if fluid is still present. He or she usually asks to see you about a week after the last antibiotic was taken
Step 5. Perform myringotomy
Ear surgery may be a necessary option in cases of prolonged fluid (i.e. when the fluid persists for more than three months after the infection clears, or if the infection does not occur), recurrent OME (a minimum of three episodes in six months or four episodes over a year, with at least one recurrence in the past six months), or additional infections that cannot be cured with antibiotics. The surgery, called a myringotomy, involves draining fluid from the middle ear as well as inserting a ventilation tube. Usually, you will be given a referral to see an ENT doctor. This is useful in determining whether surgery is necessary or not.
- In this surgery, the ENT doctor will place the tympanostomy tube into the eardrum, through a small incision. This process will help regulate ear ventilation, prevent fluid buildup, and allow any existing fluid to drain completely from the middle ear.
- Some tubes are meant to last for six months to two years and then come out on their own. The other tube is designed to stay inside the eardrum for a longer time, and may only be removed surgically.
- The eardrum will usually close again after the tube is out or removed.
Step 6. Have an adenoidectomy
In this operation, a small gland in the windpipe at the back of the nose (the adenoids) is sliced. This surgery is sometimes an option for recurring or stubborn problems in the ear. The Eustachian tube, which passes through the back of the throat from the ear, is met by the adenoids. When these tubes become inflamed or swollen (because of a cold or sore throat), the adenoids can press on their inlets. In addition, bacteria in the adenoids can also spread into the tubes, causing infection. In these cases, problems and blockages in the Eustachian tube lead to ear infections and fluid buildup.
In this surgery (which is more common in children with larger adenoids and therefore more at risk for the problem), the ENT specialist will remove the adenoids through the mouth while the patient is under sedation. In some hospitals, an adenoidectomy is a day surgery, meaning you can go home the same day. In other cases, the surgeon may require the patient to stay overnight in the hospital for supervision
Part 4 of 4: Coping with Pain
Step 1. Use a warm compress
Place a warm damp cloth over the infected ear. This towel can reduce the stabbing pain. Use any compress while it's warm, such as a towel soaked in warm to hot water, so that you immediately feel relief. Make sure that the water isn't too hot, especially when using this method on children.
Step 2. Take pain medication
Your doctor may suggest using over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil) to relieve pain and relieve discomfort. Make sure you follow the dosage suggested on the label.
Be careful when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Aspirin is considered only suitable for digestion by children over the age of two. However, because aspirin is associated with Reye's syndrome (a rare condition that causes severe brain and liver damage in teens recovering from the flu or chickenpox), use caution. Consult a doctor if you are concerned
Step 3. Use ear drops
Your doctor may prescribe one, such as antipyrine-benzocaine-glycerin (Aurodex) to relieve pain, as long as the eardrum is intact and not torn or cracked.
