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Ear infections (otitis media & externa)

Otitis media et externa · Záněty ucha (otitis media a externa)

What it is

Infection behind the drum in children, or in the canal in swimmers.

Symptoms & signs

  • Ear pain
  • reduced hearing
  • fever
  • discharge if the drum perforates
  • pain on pulling the ear in otitis externa

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Stiff neck, severe headache, confusion or a very drowsy child
  • see a doctor soon Swelling, redness or pain behind the ear, pushing it forward
  • see a doctor soon Face weakness on the side of the bad ear
  • see a doctor soon Ear pain lasting over 3 days, or discharge

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Pain relief first trials support
  • Delayed antibiotic prescription — most settle alone; antibiotics help about 1 child in 20 and shorten pain by roughly half a day trials support
  • Drops for the outer ear trials support
  • Grommets for glue ear — the hearing gain fades within a year mixed evidence
  • Microsuction trials support

Natural & lifestyle

  • Keep water out of the ear
  • no cotton buds
  • treat allergies
  • breastfeeding and smoke-free homes reduce childhood cases

Emerging & experimental

  • Topical antibiotic-steroid combinations
  • bioabsorbable grommets

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Xylitol chewing gum or syrup — reviews suggest fewer ear infections in children mixed evidence
  • Herbal ear drops (garlic, mullein) — a small trial eased pain early / small studies
  • Ear candling — burns and blockages; no benefit not confirmed in trials

ICD codes