Ear infections and how to ease the ache

If you have earache and are finding it harder to hear than usual, you may have an ear infection. These often affect us as children and, unfortunately, some of us will get them as adults too.

The good news is that many ear infections clear up within a few days and there are things you can do to help yourself feel more comfortable in the meantime.

How do ear infections happen?

When you think about an ear infection, you may believe it’s your whole ear that has an issue. Actually, there are different parts of the ear that can become infected and different ways this can happen.

Items you’ve put in your ear (such as ear plugs, cotton buds, earphones, hair grips or something else entirely) can cause irritation and lead to infections of the outer ear. This goes from the part of the ear you can see through to your ear drum.

Water that enters your ear when showering or swimming can also cause outer ear infections, which is why these types of infections are sometimes called swimmer’s ear. Your ear canal is warm and if it becomes wet as well, the conditions are great for bacteria or fungi to grow. Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis may also make you more vulnerable to an outer ear infection.

Beyond the ear drum is the middle ear. Viral infections like colds can cause the eustachian tube, which goes between your middle ear and the back of your nose, to block or swell. When this happens, mucus can’t fully flow away from the middle ear, which can lead to an infection here.

And infections in another part of your body caused by a virus (such as a cold or flu) or bacteria can go on to cause an inner ear infection such as labyrinthitis.

What are some symptoms of ear infections?

Ear infection symptoms include:

1. earache, pain or tenderness
2. itchiness of the ear
3. reduced ability to hear things
4. pressure in the ear
5. discharge coming from the ear
6. a temperature
7. flaky skin in or near the ear.

Bear in mind you may not experience all of these symptoms and they can happen fast.

Ways to help ease earache at home

While many outer ear infections go by themselves within 3 days, you may want a way to help relieve some of the symptoms.

If you’re able to take painkillers, this can help dull the discomfort. A warm (not wet, not hot) cloth on the ear may help too.

You can wipe away any discharge from the outside of your ear with clean cotton wool to help it feel less irritating. Don’t be tempted to stick something down your ear, though.

For an outer ear infection, you could use Otex Ear Relief Spray. Designed for mild to moderate uncomplicated infections of the outer ear canal, our spray includes acetic acid, isopropyl alcohol and d-panthenol, which work together to remove excess residual water, creating conditions that are less favourable for bacteria, and support regeneration of the delicate ear canal skin to reduce itching.

If you hear ringing in your ears, or are hearing sounds that aren’t really there, you could be experiencing tinnitus. You shouldn’t use ear drops in this case, and you should speak to a GP. If you’re experiencing more severe symptoms, such as pain or itching, or are experiencing any discharge from your ears, you shouldn’t use ear drops and should seek medical advice in the first instance. You may be suffering from an ear infection that requires a different form of treatment.

If you see a GP, depending on their diagnosis, they may give you medication such as antibiotics or different types of ear drops.

How you can help prevent ear infections

Once you’ve had an ear infection, you don’t really want another one. Unfortunately with viruses such as colds sometimes causing middle and inner ear infections, avoiding these isn’t always possible. But there are ways to help lower the risk.

1. Try to avoid water getting in your ear. You could wear ear plugs when swimming, for example, and wipe water from your ears after taking a shower. Don’t try to wipe inside the ear canal.
2. If you’re a regular swimmer, 1 dose of Otex Ear Relief Spray 2–3 times a week can help prevent water retention and outer ear infections.
3. You can also try to avoid picking up colds. It’s easier said than done, but hand washing can help.
4. Have your vaccinations if you’re eligible. This can help prevent illnesses that can cause ear infections.
5. Tempting as it may be, avoid putting anything at all inside your ear that shouldn’t be there, whether that’s cotton bud, hair grip or anything else. Take a look at the risks of cotton buds to ears to understand more about this.

If you’re getting recurrent ear issues, it’s important to see a GP.

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Sources:

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/
• https://www.specsavers.co.uk/ear-health/ear-infection
• https://www.boots.com/healthhub/infections-viruses/earache
• https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/middle-ear-infection-otitis-media/
• https://www.specsavers.co.uk/ear-health/swimmers-ear-otitis-externa