Ear Inflammation: Causes, Symptoms, and Methods of Treatment

Inflammation of the ears is a fairly common disease. And it's not a secret to anybody that children are the most affected from otitis. Therefore, many parents are interested in questions about what is associated with such a disease and how to treat it.

Ear Inflammation: Causes

To begin with it is necessary to say that the external, middle and inner otites are distinguished, which are accompanied by inflammation of the corresponding department of the auditory analyzer. The cause of the inflammatory process in most cases is a bacterial infection. Pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate into the ear directly from the external environment. For example, external otitis can trigger an injury, a scratch on the ear or damage to the external part of the auditory canal.

In addition, the source of infection can be localized in the body. Yes, quite often the average otitis occurs against the background of sore throats, colds, tonsillitis, sinusitis. Activation of pathogenic microflora is facilitated by the weakening of the immune system, avitaminosis, and also certain diseases that increase the susceptibility of the organism to various kinds of infections.

Inflammation of the ears and its symptoms

In fact, the signs of the disease directly depend on which particular ear section was affected. But, in addition, in almost every case, acute otitis is accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature, weakness, numbness in the body.

• Inflammation of the outer ear is characterized by swelling and redness of the auricle, as well as soreness, which increases with every touch or pressure. In some cases, the inflammatory process can be focal, then on the ear cartilage a noticeable abscess (furuncle) is formed.
• Middle otitis is accompanied by sharp, shooting pains in the ear, as well as stiffness and hearing loss. Soreness increases with chewing or swallowing, sharp turn of the head, pressure on the ear canal. Small children refuse food, become restless, constantly cry and scream. With a purulent form of the disease, there are abundant secretions of their ear, which are a mixture of purulent masses and sulfur.
• Inflammation of the inner ear is most difficult to bear, since it is here that the organ of balance is located. The disease can be accompanied by a decrease in hearing, attacks of dizziness and nausea, a disturbance of the sense of balance, and also noise in the ears.

Of course, each type of disease has its own characteristics. Nevertheless, with the slightest suspicion of inflammation of the ears, it is necessary to consult an otolaryngologist. In the absence of competent and timely assistance, otitis can lead to dangerous complications, including complete or partial deafness.

Ear Inflammation and Methods of Treatment

In fact, otitis is quite easy to treat, especially if you start therapy in the early stages. If the patient has a fever, and there is reason to believe that the cause is a bacterial infection, then antibiotics for ear inflammation are simply irreplaceable. In addition, ear drops are used, which have antiseptic and analgesic properties. Effective are "Otinum", "Otipaks" and some other drugs.

Quite often, otitis is associated with nasal congestion and redness of the throat. In such cases it is necessary to use local antiseptics (OraSept) and drops for the nose. At elevated temperature, it is possible to take antipyretics, in particular drugs that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, since these substances also have anti-inflammatory properties.

As a rule, the pain in the ears disappears after 1-3 days after the start of treatment.