Ear infection what does it look like

PhotoniCare focus their research and work on the middle ear. The middle ear is the area located directly behind the eardrum. Most middle ear infections are caused by either bacteria or viruses. A common cold, the flu, or allergy symptoms that cause congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat, and eustachian tubes can sometimes lead to an infection. Anything that makes the nose stuffy has a tendency to cause swelling and blockage of the eustachian tubes.

Swelling from colds or allergies can keep the eustachian tubes from opening and this leads to pressure changes and the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear. Sometimes, antibiotics are used to clear the infection.

Some people are prone to having multiple ear infections. This can cause hearing problems and other serious complications. Signs and symptoms of an ear infection can indicate several conditions. It's important to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. Call your child's doctor if:. The middle ear includes three small bones — the hammer malleus , anvil incus and stirrup stapes.

The middle ear is separated from your external ear by the eardrum and connected to the back of your nose and throat by a narrow passageway called the eustachian tube. The cochlea, a snail-shaped structure, is part of your inner ear. An ear infection is caused by a bacterium or virus in the middle ear. This infection often results from another illness — cold, flu or allergy — that causes congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat and eustachian tubes.

The eustachian tubes are a pair of narrow tubes that run from each middle ear to high in the back of the throat, behind the nasal passages. The throat end of the tubes open and close to:. Swollen eustachian tubes can become blocked, causing fluids to build up in the middle ear.

This fluid can become infected and cause the symptoms of an ear infection. In children, the eustachian tubes are narrower and more horizontal, which makes them more difficult to drain and more likely to get clogged. Adenoids are two small pads of tissues high in the back of the nose believed to play a role in immune system activity.

Because adenoids are near the opening of the eustachian tubes, swelling of the adenoids may block the tubes. This can lead to middle ear infection. Red dilated blood vessels at the upper part of the ear drum. Seventeen year old male with a two day history of ear pain and sore throat. The photograph shows dilated blood vessels and a collection of purulent material seen through the ear drum.

Ten year old female with fever, chills and severe right ear pain. Symptoms may occur in one or both ears. Pain is usually more severe with double ear infection infection in both ears. Children younger than 6 months who have a fever or ear infection symptoms should see a doctor. Your healthcare provider will examine your ears with an instrument called an otoscope that has a light and magnifying lens.

Examination may reveal:. If your infection is advanced, your doctor may take a sample of the fluid inside your ear and test it to determine whether certain types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are present. They may also order a computed tomography CT scan of your head to determine if the infection has spread beyond the middle ear. Most mild ear infections clear up without intervention. Some of the following methods are effective in relieving the symptoms of a mild ear infection:.

If a child under the age of 2 has ear infection symptoms, a doctor will likely give them antibiotics as well. Most often, tubes are placed in the ears to allow fluid to drain out. Ear infections usually clear up without intervention, but they may recur. These rare but serious complications may follow an ear infection:. Ear infections are less common in adults than in children, but they may be more serious or more difficult to treat.