What impact can an untreated ear infection have?
September 26, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by David Rüppel
Dear Doctor,
my name is Jonas Seiler and I have been suffering from severe ear pain in my left ear for several days. I feel like my ear is blocked and I also don't hear as well on this ear anymore. The pain is sometimes so intense that I can hardly concentrate and I also have trouble sleeping. I have already tried using ear drops to relieve the symptoms, but so far there has been no improvement.
I am worried that it could be an ear infection and I wonder what the consequences of an untreated ear infection could be. I have heard that an untreated ear infection can lead to serious complications, such as middle ear infection or hearing loss. I also have concerns that the infection could spread to neighboring tissue or even to the brain.
I would like to know what measures I should take to treat the ear infection and avoid possible complications. Should I see a doctor to prescribe antibiotics or are ear drops enough? Are there also home remedies that I can use to alleviate the symptoms? I want to make sure that I receive the right treatment to not endanger my health.
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Jonas Seiler
Dear Mr. Seiler,
Thank you for your detailed description of your symptoms. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from severe ear pain and are concerned about a possible ear infection. Ear pain can be very uncomfortable and should be taken seriously to avoid potential complications.
It is good that you have already tried to alleviate the symptoms with ear drops. In some cases, ear drops may be sufficient for an ear infection, especially if it is a mild infection. However, if the pain persists and you feel like your ear is blocked and your hearing is affected, it is advisable to see a doctor.
An untreated ear infection can indeed lead to serious complications, such as a middle ear infection, hearing loss, or the spread of the infection to neighboring tissues. In rare cases, an ear infection can even spread to the brain. Therefore, it is important to treat the infection early to avoid these complications.
A doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and determine if antibiotics are necessary to fight the infection. Antibiotics are usually only prescribed for bacterial ear infections. They are not effective for viral infections. Therefore, it is important for a doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms.
In addition to medication, you can also use home remedies to alleviate the symptoms. For example, you can perform an ear rinse with warm water and a dash of vinegar to clean the ear and reduce pressure. Applying a warm washcloth or a heating pad to the affected ear can also help relieve pain.
I strongly recommend that you make an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and the appropriate treatment can be initiated. The sooner the infection is treated, the better the chances of recovery and the lower the risk of complications.
I hope that my advice helps you and wish you a speedy recovery.
Best regards,
David Rüppel
