How to Prevent (Another) Ear Infection

 While ear infections are often associated with childhood, adults are still vulnerable to developing them. When kids have ear infections, they’re often mild and pass quickly; however, in adulthood, they can be more intense and even become a chronic problem.  

If you’ve found yourself dealing with infection after infection in your ear, you’re probably wondering what you can do to get rid of them for good. 

At San Feliz Urgent Care in Glendale, California, our primary care team understands how chronic ear infections can take a toll on your life. So, we’ve highlighted some ways you can prevent ear infections from becoming chronic and why it’s so important to do so.

Understanding chronic ear infections

Ear infections can develop in multiple areas of your ear and can develop from a fungal, viral, or bacterial infection. Sometimes, an ear infection happens in your outer ear. This type of ear infection typically occurs from a buildup of water that doesn’t drain properly, and the damp environment is perfect for a bacteria breeding ground.

In many cases, ear infections affect your middle ear. These types of ear infections happen when you have a cold-type virus and fluid gets trapped in your eustachian tube. It’s common for middle ear infections to turn chronic, either because they never heal properly or you just keep getting colds over and over. 

Ear infection pain might start with severe pain and pressure in your ear, and may be accompanied with fever. But even if you start feeling better, the ear infection might remain, causing more subtle symptoms such as fluid drainage, mild pain or pressure, hearing loss, or trouble sleeping. 

Treatment for and prevention of chronic ear infections

If you suspect that an ear infection is lingering, don’t wait to have it checked out. An untreated chronic ear infection can lead to long-term health issues such as hearing loss, meningitis, or facial paralysis. 

Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for any type of ear infection. However, if the chronic ear infection has caused a lot of damage, you may need surgery.

To prevent chronic (or even acute) ear infections, follow these guidelines:

• Avoid smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke
• Don’t use cotton swabs in your ears
• Wash your hands regularly

Because middle ear infections that can turn chronic are so often caused by viruses, stay on top of your immunizations to avoid these infection-inducing diseases such as pneumococcal meningitis and pneumonia. 

For expert-level ear infection treatment, look no further than our San Feliz Urgent Care team. To book an appointment, simply call our office or use our online scheduler today.