How to Prevent Your Ear Infection from Coming Back

While ear infections are extremely common for children, they can be experienced by adults too. If you or a loved one has experienced an ear infection or recurring ear infections, it can be helpful to learn how to prevent them from coming back.

First, it is really important to understand what an ear infection is, and what causes them. This knowledge can help you make changes that will reduce the chances of reinfection. You won’t be able to predict all ear infections, but you can take steps to learn more about them and how you can decrease your chances of getting another one.

What is an ear infection?

An ear infection is when a person experiences pain or discomfort in their ear as a result of an infection in the middle ear. There are different types of ear infections that a person can have, for example, acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion that affects the middle ear, or otitis externa that affects the outer ear canal.

What causes an ear infection?

An ear infection can occur for many reasons but are typically the result of a bacterial or viral infection. It usually comes from an illness such as allergies, a cold or flu, which results in congestion in the throat and nose and can impact the eustachian tubes. The eustachian tubes connect the nasal-sinus cavity with the middle ear to help balance pressure and protect the ears.

There are a variety of factors that contribute to why a person may experience an ear infection, and why it may reoccur. For example:

• The fluid buildup after the first infection did not go away
• Dysfunction or blockage (not related to a viral or bacterial infection) of the eustachian tubes
• A hole in the eardrum
• Young children between six months and two years old are more susceptible because their immune systems are still developing and the small size and shape of their eustachian tubes makes them more prone
• Colder weather brings about more viruses and allergies

Symptoms of an Ear Infection

Some of the most common symptoms that manifest when a person has an ear infection are pain experienced within the ear, discharge coming out of the ear, pressure inside the ear, fever, irritability, fussiness, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, and more. They may also not be able to hear as well as normal and experience irritation and itching around the ears.

You can take strides to protect yourself from recurrent ear infections utilizing these top tips:

1. Good Hygiene Practices

As ear infections are caused by bacterial or viral infections, it is important to practice good hygiene to reduce the risk of catching an illness that will cause congestion and disruption to your eustachian tubes. You can keep good practices by ensuring that you and your children wash your hands often, and with soap and water. This will reduce the spread of germs and reduce the chances of catching a cold or flu. If you have children, it can also be helpful to avoid dirty objects that they might try to put in their mouths.

2. Quit Smoking

If you or your loved one smokes, it can be helpful to quit smoking. This will help reduce the damage that is caused to sensitive tissues in the ear, reduce inflammation in the body and stop impeding the body’s immune system. It will also reduce any sinus and congestion issues that can lead to blockages.

3. Keep Your Ears Clean and Free of Fluids

It is important to keep your ears clean, especially if you have been in the bath or been swimming. Limit cleaning to blotting and drying with a towel, rather than using cotton swabs. Cotton swabs or other similar objects can lead to an infection as it damages your ear. You may also choose to use earplugs when bathing or swimming to stop water from entering the ears. Fluid buildup can also cause an infection, and carry bacteria.

It is important to prevent an ear infection from coming back. Not only will it save you discomfort, but it will also reduce the risk of the infection leading to long-term consequences. In some cases, viruses can spread if they are not treated, lead to tearing of the eardrum or impair a person’s hearing. It is therefore vital to help yourself and reduce the chances of reinfection.

To learn more about ENT Physicians Inc. and how we can help you prevent ear infections, please reach out to a member of our team by calling (419) 318-4987.