Experiencing pain or pressure inside your ear? You could be getting an ear infection. Ear infections happen when moisture gets trapped inside of the ear canal, which leads to bacterial growth. In some cases, ear infections can heal on their own. However, ear infections sometimes require prescription antibiotics to clear up the infection. This article will review at-home tips and tricks for preventing and healing ear infections.
If you think you have an ear infection, the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook is available to provide same-day symptom diagnosis and treatment for ear infections. We don’t require patients to schedule an appointment in advance; simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient, or save your spot online in advance below.
Symptoms of an Ear Infection
Ear infections are usually pretty simple to diagnose. If you’re experiencing pain in your ear for more than a day, you likely have an ear infection. Ear infections can occur due to many different reasons. Illnesses like colds can cause congestion that traps moisture in the ear canal. Swimming is another common way that water can get trapped inside of the ear canal. It is important to be aware of the symptoms associated with ear infections so that you can treat them before your symptoms become severe.
Common symptoms of an ear infection include:
- Pain in the ear
- Itching in the ear
- Trouble hearing
- Fever
- Discharge leaking from the ear
- Body aches
At-Home Treatment Tips for Minor Ear Infections
While some ear infections require medication to clear up, catching your symptoms early may allow you to clear up the infection at home before it becomes severe. There are various medications available over the counter to relieve pain in the ears and clear up minor infections. Most come in the form of ear drops which are designed to dry up the inside of the ear and get rid of any moisture that could be housing bacteria.
When to Seek Medical Care for Ear Pain
If you catch your symptoms early, you may be able to treat an ear infection at home. However, if your symptoms continue to worsen over time, you should seek medical care because your infection may require prescription antibiotics to clear up. Ear infection symptoms can last over a week without proper treatment, and symptoms can be incredibly painful. Seeking timely medical care when you first notice symptoms is the most effective way to clear up the infection and avoid severe symptoms.
Visit AFC Bound Brook for Same-Day Ear Infection Treatment
Ear infections can sometimes be cleared up with proper at-home care if you catch your symptoms early. However, if your symptoms are severe or continue to worsen over time, you likely need medical care to clear up the infection. At AFC Bound Brook, our board-certified medical providers are trained to diagnose and treat symptoms of ear infections. We offer same-day care on a walk-in basis for patients near Bound Brook, NJ.
Our clinic never requires patients to schedule an appointment in advance. Simply walk in when it’s convenient. We’re open 7 days a week, including on weekends, and have short wait times. Our clinic accepts most medical insurance plans and we offer competitive rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, walk into the clinic or give us a call at (732) 469-3627.
