Do I Have An Ear Infection?

Do you feel an itching sensation in your ear canal?

Do you have redness or swelling in your ear canal?

Do you have pain in your ear?

Does your ear pain worsen when you pull your auricle or press the tragus (the flap of tissue at the ear opening)?

Do you have intense ear pain that might radiate to your face, neck or side of your head?

Do you have a feeling of fullness inside your ear?

Do you have some fluid drainage from the affected ear?

Do you have trouble hearing or the sensation that sounds are muffled?

Do you hear buzzing or humming in your ear?

Do you have blisters along the ear canal or on the outer ear?

Do you have swelling in the lymph nodes in your neck?

Do you have a fever?

Do you have headache?

Have you lost your appetite?

Do you have dizziness, nausea or vomiting?

Based on your answers you probably don't have an ear infection. The possible reasons for your symptoms can be insufficient ear hygiene or improper ear cleaning with cotton buds, allergies, excessive production of sebum in the ear or some form of dermatitis. However if you have any concerns you should have them checked out by your doctor.

Based on your symptoms you may have an ear infection. There are three types of ear infections: infection of the inner, middle and outer ear. Untreated ear infection can cause a number of serious complications such as risk of permanent hearing loss and possible spread of infection to other parts of your head. If you have symptoms that persist for several days, be sure to contact your doctor who will do otoscopy and tympanometry to diagnose and evaluate your possible ear infection. Your doctor will determine the cause and type of ear infection and prescribe you appropriate therapy which may include anti inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, ear drops, painkillers etc.