Krazyhorse, need your expertise...

[KrazyHorse]

Most middle ear infections are viral, and will improve on their own without any antibiotics. So long as you do not have a fever, severe headache, dizziness, or nausea, you could give it a couple days to see if it improves on its own. Most of the time, it will. If you get any of the aforementioned symptoms, or it doesn't improve after two days, hie thee to your local physician forthwith, posthaste.

In the mean time, acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen as needed, and you may be able to fine some analgesic ear drops at your local pharmacy.

Although you haven't been swimming it may still be an outer ear infection, in which case antibiotics/antifungals are called for. In addition to anti-inflammatories (aleve works well) I suggest sudafed to drain the fluid in the middle ear and relieve pressure.

[MrFun]

Most middle ear infections are viral, and will improve on their own without any antibiotics. So long as you do not have a fever, severe headache, dizziness, or nausea, you could give it a couple days to see if it improves on its own. Most of the time, it will. If you get any of the aforementioned symptoms, or it doesn't improve after two days, hie thee to your local physician forthwith, posthaste.

In the mean time, acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen as needed, and you may be able to fine some analgesic ear drops at your local pharmacy.

I have noticed that there seems to be more concern about people loading up on antibiotics at the slightest thing wrong. At the clinic I clean at, there are a couple public message posters for patients that say stuff along the line like not rushing to get antibiotics just because you have a cold.

We don't need more super resistant bacteria.

[KrazyHorse]

In the absence of pigovian taxes on antibiotics only doctors can be expected to exercise restraint in this.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Asher, our president.

We really do deserve the government we vote for.

[Guynemer]

Although you haven't been swimming it may still be an outer ear infection, in which case antibiotics/antifungals are called for. In addition to anti-inflammatories (aleve works well) I suggest sudafed to drain the fluid in the middle ear and relieve pressure.

True. Outer ear infection would require treatment regardless, but without swimming, the odds are low.

However, any swelling in, on, or around the ear should hie thee to the, etc etc etc.


As far as decongestants go, works for some, not for others, but it can't hurt*. YMMV.



*assuming you aren't taking any other medications currently

[Guynemer]

In the absence of pigovian taxes on antibiotics only doctors can be expected to exercise restraint in this.

True, but many don't. You wouldn't believe how many reports we get from urgent cares where kids are started on antibiotics for "cough" or "congestion". Makes me feel very stabby-stabby.

[DaShi]

Superbugs will keep you in business.

[Felch]

What kind of a cesspool are you swimming in that causes outer ear infections?

[MRT144]

Ive been chewing gum non stop for 6 hours and feel a lot better.

[Aeson]

... have you tried tampons?

[Uncle Sparky]

I swim all the time and never get ear aches.

[Asher]

Ive been chewing gum non stop for 6 hours and feel a lot better.

Sounds like you had pathogum dysplasia.

[Guynemer]

Sounds like you had pathogum dysplasia.

Yup.

You've got, roughly, 42 minutes to live.

[Tuberski]

It's been 49 minutes............. MRT we knew thee..........some?

ACK!

[Thoth]

Amputation plus cauterisation solves most problems.

Just get it cut off with some pruning shears and then sear it with a hot soldering iron.

Problem solved.



(That will be $475 plus state and federal tax. Please pay your medical bills promptly.

tyvm.)