Ear infections don’t just happen to kids; 20% of adults still get them. Bacteria and viruses don’t care about who they infect. Those who have a weak immune system or ear pain should be careful. Find these unpleasant illnesses early so they can be treated quickly.
Viral Strange tells you how to tell if you have an ear infection and how to avoid getting one. If you are worried about your health, talk to your doctor.
1. Being itchy
At first, you may feel a mild itching in the ear canal, which can get worse if you don’t get it fixed.
2. A red face
Redness can start inside the ear canal and spread to make the inside and outside of the ear visible.
3. Trouble or pain
Early on, you might have general ear pain, especially when you touch your tragus or earring. As the problem gets worse, you may feel like your ear is full. You might also feel pain in your face, neck, or head.
4. The flow of water
As the infection gets worse, the amount of clear, odorless fluid that leaks out can increase.
5. Hearing loss or ringing
In the worst cases, you might have trouble hearing or have a constant ringing in the ear that is affected.
6. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
If an infection isn’t handled, it can cause the lymph nodes to swell up and cause a fever because the ear canal is completely blocked.
How to Avoid an Ear Infection
1. Stay away from cotton swabs and other things
“Don’t use cotton swabs because they can push earwax deeper”. Don’t put in keys, hairpins, or paper clips, because they can make itching worse and hurt the skin.
2. Wear a swim cap or earplugs.
If you often get ear infections, you might want to wear a swimming cap to keep water out of your ears. Earplugs that are comfortable can also protect your ears. Talk to your doctor for more safety tips.
3. Use a blow-dryer to keep your ears dry.
After getting wet, tilt your head back and use a towel to dry your ears. This will help the water drain out of your ears. If there is still water, use a blow dryer on low heat and speed to make sure everything is dry.
Have you ever had an illness in your ear? How did you respond? In the comments, tell us about what you did.