What to Do for Earaches?

Earaches are common infections best treated by a doctor because there are a large variety of types and causes of them. Treatment for one type of infection will not work for another. Medical attention should be sought within the first day of developing an earache, sooner for a severe earache in small children.

Outer Ear Infection Treatment

• Infections of the outer ear are the most common type of ear infection and are treated with prescription ear drops. The medical term for this type of infection is otitis externa, but it is more commonly referred to as "swimmer's ear." The ear drops used to treat this type of infection are prescription-strength drops containing antibiotics. They are generally administered for seven to 10 days. Depending on the severity of the infection, your doctor may prescribe additional oral antibiotics or pain relievers. You will also be instructed to keep your ear dry by wearing ear plugs while bathing during treatment.

Middle Ear Infection Treatment

• Another common cause of earaches is infection in the middle ear which is normally treated with oral medications. The medical term for this infection is otitis media.
  For this type of infection, you will be prescribed an oral antibiotic and possibly a pain medication or decongestant. The decongestant is prescribed when the infection is caused by a cold.

Home Remedies

• A vast array of home remedies for earaches exist on the Internet, in books and other sources, but medical experts warn against these treatments. Earaches need to be properly treated promptly and can cause permanent damage to the ear if neglected.
  They are also often symptoms of bigger medical problems that only a doctor can diagnose.