The ear has inflamed, what should I do? This is of interest to so many people who suffer from severe pain in the ear canal. It causes significant discomfort to a person, causes severe irritation. Especially often, inflammation occurs in children, due to the underdevelopment of the Eustachian tube. This facilitates the penetration of pathogens into the auditory canal.
Treatment can be started only after the cause of the disease has been established, therefore, you need to visit a doctor to diagnose pain, temperature and other signs of inflammation.
Causes of inflammation
The inflammatory process in the ear develops as a result of the penetration of pathogens into the Eustachian tubes, and then into the middle ear. Among the main reasons can be identified such as:
- infection with viruses and bacteria;
- inflammation of the nasopharynx;
- complication after flu and colds;
- mechanical damage to the ear;
- sinusitis.
To make a diagnosis and prescribe the required treatment, you must know why the ears become inflamed, and in what way the symptoms are manifested. Inflammation quite often acts as a complication of infectious and viral diseases, including sinusitis. The main risk group also includes people with chronic sinusitis, patients with diabetes and immunodeficiency.
Classification of otitis media
Otitis ICD 10 H65 is an inflammation of the ear that develops as a result of the penetration of pathogens into the Eustachian tube. This disease can be divided into several groups, namely:
Inflammation of the outer ear is mainly manifested in the form of a boil. Sometimes the infection reaches the eardrum.
Otitis media is characterized by the fact that inflammation occurs in the deeper structures of the ear. It is divided into such types as:
- catarrhal;
- purulent;
- serous.
According to the speed of development, it can be acute, subacute and chronic. Inflammation of the inner ear is quite rare. Infection can penetrate deep into the ear during the course of otitis media along with a blood stream. Depending on which pathogen inflammation was provoked, it is divided into viral, fungal and bacterial.
Otitis externa
External otitis media is characterized by inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the external part of the ear canal. With local inflammation, which manifests itself in the form of a boil, medications of local action are used. If an abscess forms, then surgical intervention may be required. In this case, the boil is opened and the cavity is drained.
Many are interested if the ear is inflamed, what to do and how to eliminate the pain. The basis of therapy is the use of antibacterial drugs. They can be prescribed in the form of drops. In addition, gauze swabs can be used, as this will help to keep the drug in the focus of inflammation.
Otitis media
Middle non-purulent otitis media (ICD 10 H65) is characterized by the fact that inflammation occurs in the middle ear. Treatment is carried out differentially. The effectiveness of therapy largely depends on what stage it is used for. Drugs are selected purely individually, depending on:
- forms of the course of the disease;
- general health;
- symptoms
Catarrh is characterized by a pathological process mainly in the auditory tube. A slight temperature increase is also possible. Treatment begins with eliminating the cause of inflammation.
To remove pain, prescribe painkillers, in particular, Otinum drops. They are inserted into the ear canal in a heated form.
Serous inflammation can be almost asymptomatic. In this case, only hearing loss is observed. Fluid, accumulating in the middle ear, leads to impaired auditory function. To pump out the accumulated serous fluid, blowing, shunting or making a small hole in the eardrum are used. In the presence of allergies, antihistamines are prescribed.
Purulent otitis media is characterized by acute inflammation of the tympanic cavity. Bacteria enter the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. This provokes the accumulation of pus in the ear cavity. As a result of this, the eardrum bursts and pus flows out.
If the ear inside is inflamed, then antibacterial drops should be used to help eliminate pain and inflammation. If otitis media proceeds with an increase in temperature, then taking antipyretic drugs is required. After normalizing the temperature, heating can be carried out.
Be sure to take antibacterial drugs for ear inflammation, in particular, such as Amoxiclav or Amoxicillin. If there is intolerance to these funds, then they are replaced by Sumamed, Doxycycline, Rovamycin. With the release of pus and the occurrence of complications, the drugs are injected.
Chronic otitis media
The chronic form occurs with incorrect or untimely treatment of acute. In the chronic course of the disease, rehabilitation treatment is used. Its main task is to increase the body's resistance to various negative factors. For this, ENT often prescribes UV radiation.
If you do not treat this form of the disease, it can lead to irreversible hearing loss.
Main symptoms
Among the main symptoms of ear inflammation, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- painful sensations;
- inflammation or redness of the auricle;
- itchy skin in the ear;
- peeling of the skin;
- hearing impairment;
- purulent discharge from the auricle.
Inflammation can significantly affect overall well-being. As a result of the development of infection, a headache may occur, the temperature rises and nausea is observed. With the transition of the disease into a chronic form, the pain subsides somewhat, but pus is released regularly. A person constantly has a headache and is slightly sick.
Diagnostics
If the ear is inflamed, what to do, only a qualified doctor can say this after a comprehensive diagnosis. To make the correct diagnosis, consultation of the ENT specialist is required. The specialist initially inspects the patient’s ear, and if necessary, additionally appoint a general blood test to make sure that there is inflammation.
To determine the complexity of the lesion and the degree of hearing loss, audiometry is required. To test air permeability, an additional study is assigned with the help of an audiograph.
If the patient has discharge of pus from the ear, then a microscopic and bacterioscopic examination is required in order to identify pathogens. The study can last 3-4 days. The results allow you to prescribe the optimal treatment.
Therapy Features
If the ear is inflamed, what to do, only an ophthalmologist can accurately say after a comprehensive diagnosis. A doctor selects a specific method of therapy for each patient. It should be noted that in any case, the treatment should be comprehensive. For the treatment of external otitis media, it is required:
- thorough hygienic care;
- antibacterial and antiviral agents;
- vitamin therapy;
- antipyretic;
- antiallergic drugs.
Be sure to protect your ear from water. Treatment of otitis media can be carried out at home or in the hospital, it all depends on the degree of the disease. For therapy are used:
- vasoconstrictor drops in the nose;
- antibacterial agents;
- drops in the ear from inflammation;
- antipyretic drugs;
- physiotherapy;
- blowing.
In some cases, a puncture of the eardrum, removal of the resulting adhesions and tympanoplasty is prescribed. With serous otitis media , the auditory tube is purged. If this technique is ineffective, they may undergo shunting. For this, a small hole is made in the eardrum, then a shunt is inserted, through which purulent contents are removed and drugs are administered.
Internal otitis is treated only in a hospital setting. For this, antibiotic therapy, decongestants are used. Be sure to observe bed rest. The doctor also prescribes symptomatic therapy and surgical treatment.
Many people wonder whether it is possible to warm the ear with a blue lamp, and whether it will provoke complications. Warming up can be carried out only in the absence of temperature and pus, since otherwise, it is only possible to aggravate the course of the disease.
Medications for adults
If the ear is inflamed, what to treat is of interest to many patients who are concerned about pain and discomfort in the affected area. Therapy must be carried out on an outpatient basis. The treatment regimen largely depends on the stage and form of inflammation. In the absence of purulent discharge, therapy is carried out only with the help of local means, ear drops are used.
In the case of an abscess, antibiotics are prescribed for otitis media in adults. Among the most popular antibacterial and antiseptic drops, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- Tsipromed;
- Normax
- Sofradex
- Otipaks.
Sofradex is a combined preparation based on antimicrobial agents and corticosteroids. These ear drops have the desired result at the initial stage of the course of the disease, until pus begins to accumulate in the middle ear. For treatment, 2-3 drops of the drug are used 4 times a day. The average course of therapy is 4-5 days.
Drops "Tsipromed" refers to an antimicrobial agent with a wide spectrum of action, which helps to quickly eliminate the inflammation provoked by pathogens. It is necessary to apply 1 drop 3 times a day.
Otipax drops have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The drug in its composition contains lidocaine and phenazole. Drops are used for acute otitis media, as they help very quickly eliminate painful sensations. With severe suppuration, antibacterial drugs for oral administration may be required.
Often, antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action are additionally used for otitis media in adults. This combination will help minimize the risk of complications and the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Preparations for children
If signs of otitis media are detected in a child, you must definitely try to alleviate the pain. Then consult a doctor who will select the appropriate treatment. As antipyretic drugs it is recommended to use "Pavnadol", "Nurofen". In addition, antibacterial, antihistamines are prescribed.
Antibacterial drugs help eliminate pathogens, which contributes to a faster recovery of the child. Usually, the doctor prescribes Amoxiclav, Flemoxin, Augmentin.
For local treatment, drops in the ear with an antibiotic are used for inflammation , in particular, such as Otirelax, Otinum, and Otipaks. These drugs help reduce pain. If the pain is not very severe, then Otofa or Dioxidinum may be prescribed.
When the first signs of the disease appear, treatment should be started immediately to prevent the transition of the condition into a purulent stage.
Folk remedies
It is widely used for inflammation of the ear folk treatment, which helps to relieve pain and cope with bacteria faster. To do this, you can use such tools as:
- ichthyol ointment;
- iodine;
- garlic;
- juniper;
- aloe.
Ichthyol ointment is applied to the external part of the ear canal, helps to accelerate healing, eliminates inflammation and painful manifestations. A menthol solution in peach oil can be instilled into the ear. This tool has a softening and analgesic effect.
Iodine has a good antiseptic effect, helping to eliminate the infection. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out the treatment of the affected auricle with this tool. If there is no damage to the skin, it can be used to treat a behind-the-ear compress. To do this, moisten gauze in vodka or a solution of alcohol. The compress is set for 6 hours. Alcohol helps warm the ears, expanding the lumen of the blood vessels.
Garlic can be used externally and internally. From it make gruel, mix with oil and insist for 10 days. Then glycerin is added and instilled into the ear. This remedy helps eliminate bacteria and viruses.
You can put juniper extract in the ear canal. Its constituents have anesthetic, anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. Reducing the severity of existing symptoms of inflammation will help warm drops of aloe, which also effectively copes with the existing infection. This plant contains natural antiseptics. It is worth noting that it does not cause allergies.
Boric acid, which is used to treat uncomplicated otitis media, is considered a good natural antiseptic. To eliminate the pain, you need to mix 1 ampoule of 1-2% novocaine and a bottle of 3% boric acid solution. The resulting mixture should be instilled into the ear for 3-4 drops. The procedure should be repeated 3-4 times a day. In addition, boric acid can be instilled in its pure form.
In acute inflammation, propolis can be used for treatment. To do this, propolis tincture should be mixed with its oil extract. Moisten a piece of gauze in the resulting liquid and, pulling the auricle back a little, introduce it into the ear canal. Such a tool can be used only in the absence of an allergy to beekeeping products.
Before using folk remedies, you must always consult a doctor, since self-medication can provoke complications.
Possible complications
Acute otitis media practically does not lead to hearing loss, however, subject to its correct and timely treatment. Complications of ear inflammation are mainly characteristic of an advanced chronic form of the disease and they appear in the form of:
- inflammation of the meninges;
- hearing loss;
- sepsis;
- lesions of the facial nerve.
With the timely detection of the disease and conducting complex therapy, otitis media can be cured. Basically, the entire treatment process takes no more than 1 week. Pain and discomfort pass literally on the 2nd day of drug treatment.
Prophylaxis
Otitis in adults very often occurs due to problems with nasal breathing. This may be due to chronic sinusitis or curvature of the nasal septum. It is possible to prevent the development of otitis media only by timely treatment of existing disorders.
In addition, it is important to prevent a decrease in immunity and treat any infectious and viral diseases in a timely manner.