EAR INFECTIONS AREN’T JUST A KIDS’ ILLNESS
“An inner ear infection is the classic type that everyone associates with that sharp pain inside the ear.”
The mention of ear infections to many adults may conjure up memories of sleepless nights with their little ones, but they are as at risk as their offspring for the pesky and painful illness.
Ear infections can be especially vexing for adults who have a history of ear infections, seasonal allergies, or poorly functioning eustachian tubes.
“We do see adult ear infections quite frequently, and they do tend to follow a seasonal pattern,” said Brittany L. Jamison, APRN, FNP-C, a certified nurse practitioner with Premier Health Urgent Care. “As the weather gets warmer, and people have a lot more congestion and drainage associated with spring and summer colds or allergies, the prevalence of ear infections does definitely increase in adults.”
Many classic symptoms associated with ear infections in children can also be found in adults. Symptoms can start with ear pain that ranges from dull or aching to sharp in nature. Adults may also experience a sense of congestion or fullness that can muffle sounds or make it more difficult to hear clearly.
Adult ear infections can occur in either the inner or outer portion of the ear.
“An inner ear infection is the classic type that everyone associates with that sharp pain inside the ear,” Jamison said. “Sometimes it includes pain with swallowing, that feeling of fullness, and decreased hearing due to inflammation of the ear drum. These can be caused by viruses or bacteria. They can also be caused by impacted ear wax, or a buildup of fluid in the eustachian tube. The second type is an infection located on the external part of the ear. This can cause actual pain of the entire ear along with swelling.”
Health care providers can easily distinguish between the two infections and make a diagnosis by looking in the ear with a device known as an otoscope. In some cases, an exam can even reveal the presence of an internal and external infection at the same time. Infections that are confined to the inner ear are typically treated with an antibiotic as well as anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and swelling. Outer ear infections may be treated more topically with antibiotic drops and possibly a steroid.
Some infections do not require medical intervention and eventually go away on their own while being managed by over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as well as daily antihistamine medications to help relieve symptoms.
Still, adults should be quick to consult with their physician if these measures fail to lessen the pain or sense of fullness.
“It’s important to understand that the infection can worsen if the pain doesn’t resolve itself in a few days,” Jamison said. “People should seek medical care when the pain isn’t going away since it will give physicians a better idea of what’s causing it, whether it’s viral or bacterial. It will also allow them to hopefully provide treatment that will ultimately resolve the symptoms once and for all.”
Jamison advises adults to not tough out the pain, in some cases, there could be a simple fix.
“Sometimes ear pain is simply caused by a buildup of earwax that becomes impacted,” she said. “Those symptoms can be alleviated through a simple procedure to remove the wax right there in the office.”
For more information about adult ear infections, or to schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network physician near you, visit PremierHealth. com/MakeAnAppointment.
Brittany L. Jamison, APRN, FNP-C, a certified nurse practitioner with Premier Health Urgent Care