An ear infection is an affliction normally suffered during infancy and childhood, but some adults experience ailments of the ear as well, sometimes from underlying conditions. The ear is an intricate part of the body and has different areas and cavities that can harbor bacteria and viruses. The ear is composed of three parts, referred to as the inner, middle, and outer ear. According to statistics, we are more likely to get infections in the middle ear and outer ear. If there’s an issue with the inner ear, it’s sometimes an indication of a more serious illness.
The area referred to as the middle ear is right behind your eardrum, and infections in this area are usually caused by bacteria from other areas that are in close proximity, namely the mouth, eyes, and nose. The bacteria builds up behind the eardrum, resulting in an infection.
Regarding the outer part of the ear, it’s the part of the ear canal that goes from the eardrum to the outer part of the ear. This area of the ear can become infected from injuries caused by objects being inserted into the ear, such as cotton swabs or your fingernail.
1. Outer Ear Redness
Outer ear redness is a common symptom of an infection in the outer ear canal. This may start with an itchy rash and progress to an infection in the ear canal. Otitis externa, more commonly known as “swimmer’s ear,” is caused when water remains in the ear after swimming. The moisture created is ideal for bacterial growth. You can also develop swimmer’s ear from damage to the skin in your ear; this is usually caused by fingers or cotton swabs being placed in the ear. The dead skin in your ears, along with earwax, is constantly being pushed outwards and when you push cotton swabs in your ears, it sometimes defeats the purpose, as you’re pushing all of that skin and wax back into your ears.
This type of infection can be treated with drops if caught early. The redness in and around your ear will become more pronounced as the infection worsens. You can also develop an outer ear infection by hairspray or other fluids entering and irritating the ear canal. The bacteria, and sometimes fungi, that cause these types of infections aren’t always introduced to the ear canal by way of water. Some of these organisms are already present in the ear canal. The water or liquid is the component that creates the breeding ground for the bacteria to thrive.
2. Drainage of Fluid from Ear
A middle ear infection sometimes causes fluids to accumulate in that area, creating pressure in the eardrum, leading to a rupture. Signs of a ruptured ear drum include a sudden sharp ear pain or a sudden decrease in ear pain, drainage of fluid from ear that may be bloody, clear, or resemble pus, ear noise or buzzing, hearing loss that may be partial or complete in the affected ear, episodic ear infections, and facial weakness or dizziness. Sometimes there are no symptoms except a slight discomfort or weird feeling in the ear. You may hear air coming out of your ear when you blow your nose.
3. Ear Pain
The most common type of ear infection is called acute otitis media and it affects the middle ear. Some areas of the middle ear become infected and swollen, with fluid buildup behind the eardrum. Ear discomfort is the main symptom of a middle ear infection. Children may also have trouble eating, drinking, or sleeping, and be feverish. When fluid stays trapped behind the eardrum after the infection is treated, otitis media with effusion is the term used to describe this condition. Even though symptoms may not manifest, the doctor can check for the fluid. Sometimes this becomes a recurring issue; this is called chronic otitis media with effusion.
4. Dizziness
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection that affects hearing and balance, and causes vertigo, nausea, mild headaches, earaches, pain and changes in vision. You will feel sick in general and may suffer some hearing loss. This type of infection is usually caused by a virus or bacterial infection like the cold or flu, and treated with antibiotics, fluids and rest. The symptoms may last a short time or they may be ongoing and severe, and affect many areas of your life. The infection can also develop from bacteria that spread from other areas of your body, such as the nose and mouth. Some patients receive physiotherapy, called vestibular rehabilitation therapy, for the vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance. A ruptured eardrum while suffering an ear infection can also cause dizziness.
5. Hearing Loss
Some ear infections like labyrinthitis may affect hearing and cause permanent hearing loss in some cases. In particular, hearing infections that produce fluid and pus behind the eardrum will muffle sounds or otherwise make it difficult to hear, similar to being underwater. If the eardrum bursts, this could further complicate things. The perforation of the eardrum can be a good thing, because it releases all the infected fluid from the ear and sometimes relieves the pain. Conversely, it opens up the area to bacteria again and should be monitored closely to make sure it heals properly and completely. Further infections to the area could become chronic and cause permanent hearing loss.
6. Headache
In general, ear infections that aren’t treated in a timely fashion will produce additional symptoms such as headaches. A middle ear infection that’s not treated can progress to mastoiditis, which is an infection of the mastoid, the bone behind the ear. The bacteria spreads to your inner ear, where it reaches the mastoid, sometimes causing the bone to disintegrate. You may experience swelling and pain behind the ear. Although it’s rare, this infection would occur 10 to 14 days after a middle ear infection. Another serious infection that could result from the spread of bacteria from an ear infection is bacterial meningitis, which is an infection of the lining of the brain. Symptoms of this infection include severe stiff neck, irritability, confusion, and excessive sleepiness.
7. Irritable
Infants and young children will become very irritable when suffering from an ear infection. Fussiness and crying a lot can mean so many different things with babies and toddlers, so you have to pay close attention for other signs. Sometimes an ear infection will come after the child had a cold or sinus infection. The most telling sign is when he or she pulls on the affected ear, or is otherwise preoccupied with the ear by touching it or the area around it. A fever will usually accompany an ear infection and the child will seem uncomfortable regardless of what you do to try and soothe him or her. Sleeping soundly will be difficult, so you may notice the child waking often or simply not being able to sleep at all.
