Ear Infection

[EvianBaby]

If you had an ear infection would it be extremely painful?

[beso]

No. Depends on the type of infection. They can just be uncomfortable.

[Sqad]

If it was the outer ear.........otitis externa........VERY painful.

If it was the middle ear....otitis media................ painful but less than the above.

Otitis externa is FAR more common in adults.

Otitis media is FAR more common in children.

[EvianBaby]

hhmmm, thanks Beso. Had a cold last week but the pain in my head is still lingering. Can't shift it and it's moved to my ears. It feels like a headache in my ears but it's not unbearable pain, just a dull ache. Probably give it a few days and see if it gets better.

[EvianBaby]

Sorry Sqad, you weren't there when I typed.

Seems likes it's proabably not an infection then. I'll just keep popping the Nurofen.

[Sqad]

Evian.....no big deal.

Your situation sounds like a blockage of the Eustachian tube, rather than an infection and i would nip to the chemist and ask for a decongestant nasal spray and use it vigorously, ignoring the instructions. This will open up the Eustachian tubes and relieve the pain.

[EvianBaby]

Ah right, thanks! I'll pop out and get some this afternoon.

[jno]

putting 600mg of ibuprofen in each nostril and blowing hard may do the trick.

[RATTER15]

jno, I think instead of blowing and losing the Ibuprofen I would take a sharp intake of nostriller (yes I know I made up that word) breath hence taking the medication to the root of the problem!

[EvianBaby]

You have no idea of the scenarios that are running through my head with those ideas :)

[atalanta]

If you develop an ear abscess, the pain will be indescribable. You'll feel your brain is about to split open.
Fortunately, if an abscess starts, it can usually be spotted by a doctor, and nipped in the bud by anti-biotics