Why am I getting so many ear infections?

There are multiple causes for recurring (chronic) ear infections, or recurring otitis media, ranging from allergies, sinusitis, ear injuries, and bacterial infections from colds or flu.

How many ear infections are too many?

How many ear infections are too many? One or two ear infections a year is fairly normal (never fun to handle, but normal nonetheless). However, if your child has three episodes in six months or four in a year, then you’ve got a case of chronic ear infections.

Why do ear infections keep coming back?

When ear infections keep coming back, it’s generally the result of an infection of the middle ear (otitis media), the area behind the eardrum. This occurs when bacteria or a virus, perhaps due to a respiratory infection, spreads to the ear via the eustachian tube.

Why does ear infection keep coming back?

What if ear infection doesn’t go away after antibiotics?

Ear infections that do not clear up after trying many antibiotics may need tubes. Prevention should be tried before turning to surgery. Talk to your child’s doctor about when ear tubes are needed.

What if amoxicillin doesn’t work for ear infection?

It treats the most common bacterial cause of ear infections–a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae–better than most other antibiotics. If symptoms continue, your pediatrician may prescribe some other type of antibiotic that works on less common bacteria, such as amoxicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae.

Can you have an ear infection for months?

Chronic otitis media- This is a middle ear infection that does not go away, or happens repeatedly, over months to years. The ear may drain (have liquid coming out of the ear canal). It can often be accompanied by a tympanic membrane perforation and hearing loss. Usually chronic otitis media is not painful.

Is it normal to get an ear infection once in a while?

It’s pretty normal to get an ear infection once in a while (especially when you’re a kid), but if the infections keep coming back, they could pose a serious health risk.

What are the signs and symptoms of a chronic ear infection?

A chronic ear infection can cause milder symptoms than an acute ear infection. Symptoms may affect one or both ears and may be constant or come and go. Symptoms of a chronic ear infection include: feeling of pressure in the ear. mild ear pain. fluid draining from ears.

Does my child need surgery for a chronic ear infection?

Your doctor may recommend surgery for chronic ear infections that aren’t responding to treatment or are causing hearing problems. Hearing problems can be especially problematic in children. Hearing problems can cause speech and language problems at an important time in development.

Can an ear infection cause pain on the outside?

Since an ear infection is such a common reason for ear pain, let’s consider this possibility first. Most ear infections occur inside the ear. Usually there is no sign of infection on the outside. Redness, pain and swelling on the outside of the ear indicate a different type of infection.