Do you suspect you have a middle ear infection after a cold? You might if you have ear pain, drainage from the ear, trouble hearing, and a fullness in the ear. This article will show you how to treat the symptoms to a middle ear infection with just home treatment.


Steps

1. Relieve pain. You will need an over the counter pain reliever like acetaminophen (eg.Tylenol) and possibly applying a warm facecloth or heating pad. If the pain is severe, your doctor might need to prescribe some eardrops.
2. Clean the drainage from the ear (if any). The drainage should be thick, yellow, and foul smelling and is usually a sign that the eardrum has ruptured. The eardrum will heal in about 3 to 4 weeks on its own. Clean the outside part of the ear with a soft tipped cotton swab and remember to never stick a cotton swab deep inside an ear.
3. Use an antibiotic (if there is a high fever, or the ear hasn't healed in a a few months, or if there are other complications). The most common and recommended antibiotic treatment for middle ear infection is amoxycillin. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking any medications and to read the warnings about amoxycillin down below.

Tips

• Remember to rest. Running or working hard will spread the ear pain.
• Drink lots of water. The water will help your body fight the infection.
• Relax. Relaxing and believing that your ear will heal quickly will actually speed up the recovery and help with the discomfort.

Warnings

• Avoid letting water going into the ear. This escpecially applies for activities such as swimming and taking a shower.
• Never poke a cotton swab deep inside an ear when cleaning. This can damage the ear.
• When taking amoxycillin, be careful as it has side affects. These include: nausea, vomiting, and easy fatigue. But beware that an allergic reaction to amoxycillin is very dangerous. starts with a change in mental state; skin rash with intense itching (often beginning in fingertips and around groin area and rapidly spreading) and sensations of fever, nausea and vomiting. You will need emergency medical attention if you have an allergic reaction.