You might have an ear infection if you experience discomfort or fullness in your ear, see fluid dripping from it, or have trouble hearing. Despite being more common in children, they can also affect adults, especially in the winter when colds and the flu cause secondary infections. When the middle ear becomes blocked, air cannot pass through, providing a moist environment for bacteria to flourish.
If the Eustachian tube, which connects the nose to the middle ear, becomes blocked and fluid accumulates, superficial acute ear infections may develop. Because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal, children are more likely to develop ear infections because they don’t drain. You can take steps to lower your risk of infection, particularly during the colder months when infections are more prevalent.
What is an ear infection?
The medical term for what is commonly referred to as an ear infection is acute otitis media or a sudden illness in the middle ear. Although ear infections are one of the most frequent reasons young children visit doctors, anyone can get one, including adults and children.
Your doctor might suggest a drug to treat your discomfort. Your doctor might recommend an antibiotic if your ear infection persists or worsens. You should visit your doctor to ensure the ear infection has resolved or if you or your child continue to experience pain or discomfort. Frequent ear infections, ongoing ear infections, and fluid accumulation behind the eardrum can cause all harm to hear and have other serious consequences.
The main goals of eardrum rupture treatments are to reduce discomfort and eliminate or avoid infection.
Antibiotics
Infections that might have caused your eardrum to rupture can be treated with antibiotics. They also guard you against contracting new infections due to perforation. Your doctor may recommend oral antibiotics or eardrops with medication. You might also be instructed to take both medication types.
Home remedies
Heat and painkillers can help you manage the discomfort of a ruptured eardrum at home. You can benefit from applying a warm, dry compress to your ear several times a day.
Avoid blowing your nose more than is necessary to promote healing. Your ears become compressed when you blow your nose. High pressure also results from trying to clear your ears by holding your breath, covering your nose, and blowing. The increased pressure can hurt and delay the healing of your eardrum.
Use only over-the-counter eardrops that your doctor has prescribed. The fluid from these drops can seep deep inside your ear if your eardrum is ruptured. This may lead to additional problems.
Patching
Your doctor may patch the eardrum if your ear does not heal naturally. A medicated paper patch is applied over the membrane tear during patching. The membrane is encouraged to recover by the patch.