When you have an ear infection, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, the infection could become more serious and could even be life threatening. If you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about possible complications of an ear infection in pregnancy. The same is true if you are nursing a baby or have recently given birth.
If you notice that your ears itch and/or feel hot to the touch, try to scratch the affected area to reduce inflammation. Try to gently press on the affected area, rather than squeezing. This will also ease the pressure that occurs when squeezing.
For those suffering from ear pain due to infection, it is important to wear earplugs. To reduce pain and discomfort, use pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen before bed. If you are uncomfortable wearing them, consider buying over-the-counter pain relievers.
To relieve discomfort and pain from an ear infection, apply a cold compress to the affected area for about 15 minutes. You can also use a cold or warm towel to reduce friction from infection. Wash the affected area and place a cotton cloth on top to drain off any liquid that may be present.
To wash off excess fluid that has accumulated in the affected ear, take a warm bath or shower and rinse with warm water
Do not use antibacterial soap as it may further irritate the infection. Rinse the infected area thoroughly and then apply a bandage.
If an antibiotic has been prescribed by your doctor, use it regularly on a daily basis until the infection is gone. If it is still there a few days after treatment, then consult your doctor to determine whether more antibiotics are needed. Also ask about home remedies such as ice or cold compresses for more effective relief. However, if the infection has gone, then your doctor will probably prescribe pain medication to take care of the infection.
Most ear infections clear up within 24 hours, but it is important to treat them as soon as possible to prevent any damage from occurring to the hearing and eyesight of babies and small children. Some infections are serious and require surgery.
The following information on proper hygiene is important for babies and children, to help them stay healthy and prevent infections from ever occurring in the future. Babies and young children should always be properly bathed, dry washed, and have a proper diet in order to avoid infections in the long run.
Keep a handkerchief in the diaper bag that will be used to clean baby's ears. Baby's ears should never be cleaned with water alone as this could lead to the growth of bacteria or ear mites. Also, washing baby's ears is important to remove any loose debris that could lead to an infection.
A cotton swab is the best tool for cleaning baby's ears. It is soft and safe to use on the ears. Use this swab to gently clean around the inside of the ear, using your finger to gently push the swab through the outer skin and into the inner ear canal.
You can also use a cotton swab or ear brush to gently clean around baby's ears
It is better to clean with your finger than with a piece of cotton underwear since some bacteria that have been on the skin can remain in the earwax, which could cause infections. This can be removed by gently cleaning the earwax with a piece of soft toothpaste.
To prevent babies and small children from suffering an infection, keep babies and small children away from objects that could be too irritating. Toys and other things that can make the ears or the eardrum hurt, such as stuffed animals, rattle, and other loud noises. Always wash hands when cleaning a baby's ears and gently rub it gently in the same direction. The reason for this is to clean all dirt away.