Do I have to see a doctor for an ear infection

Dr. Al Hegab and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

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A 30-year-old member asked:

Can there be any way to treat a double ear infection without having to see a doctor?

Dr. Clarence Lyonsanswered

Family Medicine 20 years experience

See a doctor: Don't wait on this and run the chance that it turns to something worse.

5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. James Fergusonanswered

Pediatrics 46 years experience

Comfort measures: Some viral ear infections self heal in 2-4 day. Bacterial infections tend to persist and may lead to real complications. If not better after 3-4 days ... Read More

5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 41-year-old member asked:

Will i need to see the doctor about my ear infection?

Dr. Kathleen Mullaneanswered

Internal Medicine 32 years experience

Ear Infection: Ear infections can be viral or bacterial. If viral we dont have much to treat with; if bacterial antibiotics are used. Bacterial infections can be s... Read More

4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali agrees1 doctor agrees

A 27-year-old female asked:

I have ear pain in both ears that i would definitely consider a mild more towards moderate pain and a low grade fever. this has been going on for two days. would this be a double ear infection? do i need to see a doctor or let it go a little longer?

Dr. James Fergusonanswered

Pediatrics 46 years experience

Your call. Pain in both plus fever suggests an infection & could be viral or bacterial. Viral would self heal over a short period but a bacterial ... Read More

Reviewed Nov 12, 2021

Dr. Gurmukh Singh agrees1 doctor agrees

A male asked:

Does this sound like a cold or ear infection and should i take him to see a doctor now? 2 year old boy with nasal, and eye drainage and his external ear is completley red with having no injury to his ear. his nose is stopped up but he seems to be playing

Dr. Laura McMullenanswered

Pediatrics 21 years experience

It : It is not common for the external ear to be affected with a middle ear infection (the kind of ear infection you get with colds). An outer ear infecti... Read More

5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Joseph Bouvier agrees1 doctor agrees

A 24-year-old female asked:

Hard thumps under skin? various places. told doc, she didn't know. can't see it, but feel hard thumps. i do have ear infection n sinus won't drain.

Dr. Hien Trananswered

Pediatrics 15 years experience

Lymph nodes maybe: lymph nodes generally get bigger when u get sick. sometimes they can hurt but usually they don't. if u r feeling them along your neck, that's probab... Read More

3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 28-year-old female asked:

I may have an ear infection but i can't see the doctor until tomorrow. in the meantime, would a heating pad against my ear help or make it worse?

Dr. Nela Corderoanswered

Pediatrics 54 years experience

OTITIS MEDIA: The heating pad will add comfort if you feel less pain. Otherwise you can take Motrin for pain and inflammation until you see md in am.

5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Kenny Chuu agrees1 doctor agrees

2 thanks

A 29-year-old female asked:

Woke up with ear pain two weeks ago and have had muffled hearing since. pretty sure it's fluid. is this an ear infection? should i see a doctor?

Dr. Susan Rhoadsanswered

Family Medicine 38 years experience

Yes.: Decreased hearing for two weeks needs to be checked out unless it is due to allergies and responds to an antihistamine. Either way, avoid loud noise... Read More

2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Al Hegab and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 23-year-old male asked:

As a kid always had ear infections. tubes after tubes. hole in ear at a time. doc said see fluid/drainage everytime check ears now. says its normal.

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered

ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 30 years experience

Ear fluid: Fluid in the middle ear is not normal. If there is a hole in your ear drum, this is an abnormal communication between the outside world and your midd... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Amrita Dosanjh agrees1 doctor agrees

A 16-year-old female asked:

I had an ear infection and it stopped hurting, but my ear smells bad. i would see a doctor but my country is still in lockdown and the hospitals are still full, might risk getting covid.. there's a pharmacy near so should i get an otc or something?

Dr. Birendra Tandananswered

Urology 34 years experience

Try hydrogen peroxide in your ear three or four times a day and don't probe your ear with anything.

Reviewed Sep 17, 2021

Dr. Adham Hegazy agrees1 doctor agrees