A 19-year-old female asked:
What can i do for a ear infection?
6 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Anifat Balogunanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 29 years experience
Ear Infection: You can take tylenol (acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen to help with pain. Take whatever oral or topical antibiotics that your provider prescribed for the recommended length of time.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Todd Zimmermananswered
Pediatric Emergency Medicine 26 years experience
Ear causing tear :(: Take tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin if you are in pain and only if you can take those medications. You should also seek prompt medical attention as you may need antibiotics and to assure there is not another cause for the ear discomfort. You should also note there are different types of ear infections...Inner, middle and outer to use layman terms.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Ear infection: Talk to your pcp to examine & recommend appropriate antibiotic as needed.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Harold Kimanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 28 years experience
Depends on the type: If you have an ear infection of your ear canal like a swimmer's ear, you need the debris removed and receive antibiotic ear drops. If the infection is behind your ear drum, you need oral antibiotics. If you have chronic ear infections that persist despite antibiotics, you need surgery. The process of treatment begins with your otolaryngologist.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Have it treated: If you have an ear infection, proper evaluation and treatment is advised.Comfort measures with Ibuprofen or a heating pad can provide some relief, but resolution needs more.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Confirm/ treat: You help yourself by having it confirmed as a treatable form of ear infection (some are viral and self heal).Then you follow the treatment plan and use whatever comfort measures seem to help.Finish all medications even if the discomfort leaves quickly and you feel better after half the meds are taken.
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 39-year-old member asked:
What should I do for an ear infection during pregnancy?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
A US doctor answeredLearn more
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. James Ferguson commented
Pediatrics 46 years experience
The medications that would be used are usually harmless to baby, but be sure doc knows you are pregnant.
Jul 2, 2013
A 31-year-old member asked:
How to determine if I have an ear infection?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. John Edwardsanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
Pain, fever: Ear pain with fever are most common signs of what people refer to as "an ear infection" aka "acute otitis media"
pain can be worse with laying down, sometimes with swallowing or eating
also common to have stuffy/runny nose, sometimes cough
otitis media is different from otitis externa (aka swimmer's ear), where it's more common to have pain when gently tugging or moving your ear.
See a doc.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
How do I unplug my ear if i don't have ear infection?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Gregory LaMorteanswered
Periodontics 42 years experience
Cerumen: Movement of the jaw helps the ears' natural cleaning process. The american academy of otolaryngology discourages earwax removal unless excess earwax is causing health problems. A number of methods of earwax removal are effective, their benefits compared to each other is not determined. A number of softeners are effective; however, if this is not sufficient, the most common is syringing warm water.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
I have constant ear infections, what should I do?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Debra Tanganswered
Pediatrics 24 years experience
Ear infections: You should go see your primary care provider. You probably need to be referred to an ENT ( ear/nose/throat) doctor.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
What are the causes of an ear infection?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Depends on location: Viruses can invade the ear nerve, impaining hearing; viruses or bacteria can inhabit the normally sterile middle ear space& mucous= otitis media;germs can invade the ear drum= myringitis/ lots of pain; skin bacteria & fungus can invade an over-hydrated outer canal & cause swimmers ear. Each affliction may be considered an ear infection & each is handled differently.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated May 27, 2016
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