Types Of Ear Infection And Home Remedies

There are three main types of ear infections – infections of the outer ear (and the ear canal), known as otitis externa, infections of the middle ear, known as otitis media, and infections of the inner ear, known as otitis interna or labyrinthitis. These three infections are very different from each other and have different symptoms. The treatment too is of course different for each type of ear infection.

Infections of the outer ear are colloquially known as “swimmer’s ear”, and are often contracted from swimming in water containing certain bacteria or fungi. However, these infections can also develop under any conditions in which humidity is high and hygiene is deficient, especially if there are breaks in the skin of the ear. This kind of ear infection can be quite painful, but it is actually the least dangerous, as it is mainly an infection of the skin, and does not really affect the most important parts of the ear. Treatment is also usually quite simple – keeping the ear clean and dry, and completely avoiding moisture for a few days is usually enough to clear up the infection. You can swab the ear with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water, or you can simply use an over the counter solution. Burrow’s solution also works well at treating infections of the outer ear. However, if you are not sure about exactly what infection you are suffering from, it is better to consult a doctor. Middle ear infections can also affect the outer ear if there is drainage, and the treatments described may clear up the symptoms while allowing the actual infection to worsen inside the ear.

The middle ear is the area between the ear drum and the inner ear, and infections in this part of the ear also tend to be painful. These infections are quite common among small children, usually as an accompaniment to a common cold. Sometimes these infections clear up within a day or two, and all that is needed is a few home remedies to ease the pain till then. The pain is often the result of a blockage of the Eustachian tubes, and this is usually quite easily remedied by chewing gum. Apart from this, a warm compress will also help, and better still, putting a few drops of warm oil into the ear. If the infection lasts for longer than two days, you should visit a doctor, as proper medical treatment may be needed.

Infections of the inner ear are quite serious, with extreme symptoms such as vertigo and nausea. There is no home treatment for these infections, and it is important to consult a doctor at the earliest.