What Is Bullous Ear Infection?

The word bullous means blister; therefore, a bullous ear infection is when there is a blister present on the eardrum. This also is called bullous myringitis. This condition occurs more frequently in children than adults.

Causes

• Bacteria is one cause of bullous ear infections.

  Bullous myringitis occurs when the eardrum becomes infected by bacteria or a virus. The bacteria, mycoplasma, is the most frequent cause of the infection. The mycoplasma causes a reaction that forms blisters on the eardrum. Bullous myringitis is usually found in conjunction with a middle-ear infection.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of bullous myringitis are similar to other ear infections. It is characterized by a sudden onset of pain in the ear that can last a few days without relief.

Associated symptoms

• Other symptoms associated with bullous ear infections include upper respiratory infections that cause coughing or a runny nose. In very young children, diagnosis can be tricky because they cannot explain where the pain is, but if they pull on their ears, have a fever or lose their appetite, they might have bullous myringitis.

Diagnosis

• An otoscope is used to look into the ears.

  A physician will diagnose bullous myringitis by evaluating symptoms, such as ear ache or fever, and by using an otoscope to look into the ear. If the eardrum is inflamed and blistered, a positive diagnosis can be made.

Treatment

• Antibotics can cure bacterial infections.

  To reduce pain, the fluid-filled blisters on the eardrum can be pierced or lanced to relieve pressure. Infectious myringitis caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics and pain killers.