What Is Good for an Ear Infection?

Ear infections are the most frequent reason why children visit doctors in the United States, according to The New York Times. About 75 percent of children develop an ear infection by the age of 3, according to the Mayo Clinic. Adults also experience ear infections, but far less often.

Fortunately, most ear infections clear up in several days without intervention, and children typically stop getting them by age 5, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Features

• Ear infections generally affect the middle ear, especially in children, or the canal portion of the outer ear, usually in the form of swimmer's ear. Middle ear infections usually result from a viral infection that causes the middle ear's lining to swell and fluid to accumulate, which exerts pressure on and irritates the eardrum. Swelling or a blockage in the eustachian tubes, the narrow passages leading from the middle ear to the nose, can also cause middle ear infections, as a result of a cold, for example. Bacterial infections in the ear canal produce swimmer's ear. Bacteria flourishes when the canal has excessive moisture or a rash, or the skin is broken or subjected to repeated abrasions, such as while cleaning with a cotton swab.

Middle Ear Infection Treatments

• Middle ear infections that don't clear up spontaneously often disappear when treated with antibiotics or drainage tubes. Approximately 80 percent of sufferers recover without using antibiotics, according to the Mayo Clinic. Antibiotics are most effective for children who aren't older than 6 months and both children and adults who have developed at least two ear infections in the previous month.

  Drainage tubes, which are inserted primarily in children's ears during a surgical procedure, may be necessary if antibiotics don't help recurring infections or hearing becomes impaired.

Outer Ear Infection Treatments

• Treatments for outer ear infections include cleaning the substances that block or accumulate in the ear canal with an ear curette or suction device, so that medication can reach infected skin. Medications inserted in the ear typically contain acidic solutions with antibacterial effects, bacteria-fighting antibiotics, fungus-fighting antifungal drugs or steroids that decrease inflammation. The Mayo Clinic also recommends keeping infected ears dry and free of irritation during treatment by avoiding flying, scuba diving, swimming and water in the ear. In addition, do not wear a hearing aid or earplug in infected ears.

Prevention

• Adults can reduce their risk of middle ear infections by taking store-bought allergy drugs or decongestants to combat allergies and colds. Parents should breast-feed babies a minimum of six months to supply essential antibodies, keep babies upright when bottle-feeding, keep their children away from tobacco smoke and sick children, and consider the infection-fighting pneumococcal vaccine for their children. Decrease the likelihood of outer ear infections by keeping ears free of foreign objects, irritating substances and moisture. Do not swim in contaminated water and remain cautious after an ear infection or surgery.

Considerations

• Doctors sometimes recommend reducing inflammation from ear infections by using store-bought pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Children with no ear drainage may also benefit from prescription-strength medication inserted in the ear that relieves pain.