Do you feel like cutting your ears off?
It can be difficult to discern a legitimate ear infection from a simple earache, headache, or sinus infection sometimes. The symptoms can blend in with one another. Does it even really matter what it is? You just need it to stop ASAP.
Well, it does matter. If you know definitively whether you have an ear infection vs. any other type of infection, you can take action to make it stop.
In this article, we’re going to help you identify 8 signs of an ear infection.
1. Long Flu-Symptoms
Extra long flu symptoms can be a sign and cause of an ear infection. A runny nose and sinus problems that just will not go away put you at risk of getting an ear infection, if you don’t have one already.
2. Headaches
Headaches along with your flu symptoms will let you know that there’s something a little off. You’ll know if it’s related to your ear if you start having very sharp quick bursts of extreme pain originating from your ear.
This is a symptom of an earache, but if it persists along with the other symptoms, you might be looking at an infection.
3. Dizziness
Your inner ear is a source of balance. If you’re experiencing ear pain to the point of being dizzy when you get up from a chair or when you’re walking around, causing a vertigo-like effect, you might have an ear infection.
It’s also worth noting if, during your dizzy spell, you’re also having trouble hearing, that’s probably from fluid buildup in your ear canal.
4. Irritation
Having the feeling of an itch that you can’t scratch is a sign of an ear infection. It’s like something’s tickling the inside of your ear where you just can’t seem to reach. Pain will also come on a little stronger as you try to get to the itch.
5. Fever
If you’ve got a fever that won’t quit along with your headaches and irritation, that’s a telltale sign of an infection. Take your temperature, if it hovers around 101 or 102 degrees, you should see a doctor immediately.
6. Sleep Problems
It’s not uncommon for these earaches, headaches, and dizzy spells to keep you up at night, thus increasing fatigue. As your body fights the infection while under duress, the irritability when you try to eat and drink will increase.
You’ll notice a lot of pain when chewing and swallowing because the pressure and motion irritates the infection.
7. Ear Discharge
Okay, probably the most telltale sign of an ear infection is discharge coming from your ear. It’ll be yellowish white, but won’t resemble earwax. You might find it on your pillow in the morning with some blood in it.
At this point, it’s probably safe to say that you’re experiencing an infection.
8. Swelling
After you notice the discharge, take a look in the mirror. If you see redness around and behind the ear, coupled with tenderness within the ear canal, then you’ve got an infection, and you should go to the doctor to get it looked at.
These Are Signs of An Ear Infection
At first, you can try to treat it yourself by putting a warm, damp cloth over your ear, and then buy over the counter drugs. If those don’t work, you’ll need antibiotics from a medical professional.
Bad things can happen if an ear infection persists after taking antibiotics. Fluid draining and surgery are both options in the long run.
Contact us at Oxford Urgent Care if you notice signs of an ear infection, and you’re in the Oxford, MS area.