Ear infection is a common problem faced by many people. Catching a cold leads to the ear infection. There are three types of ear infections. These are classified as per the part where they occur in the ear canal, it can be in the middle, inner, or outer ear. Each type of ear infection shows different symptoms.

Swimmer’s ear
An infection in the outer ear canal is also called swimmer’s ear.

Causes of swimmer’s ear
Infection from the bacteria and fungi is protected by the skin lining or the ear canal. If the skin lining is broken, the bacteria and fungi can cause infection. This is called the swimmer’s ear or an outer ear infection. Too much of moisture or inserting something deep into the ear can be the causes of swimmer’s ear. Swimming and showering can cause infection in the ear canal and allow the bacteria to invade the year. The lining of the ear canal can be broken by scratching or injuring by the cotton swabs. Other causes of the swimmer’s ear include chemicals that irritate the ear canal and a few skin conditions. 

Symptoms of swimmer’s ear
The pain begins gradually and increases in a day or two. The pain can get intense if the ear if touched and pulled or while chewing. Some of the common symptoms of this condition are:

• Severe pain and itching of the ear
• Redness of Ear
• Swelling on the ear canal
• Pus or fluid coming out of the ear which can be white, yellow, clear, bloody, and smelly
• Fluid crusting at the opening of the ear canal
• Hearing trouble
• Ringing in the ears
• Pain in the face and neck
• Swollen lymph nodes

Swimmer’s ear infection treatment
Firstly, we need to avoid swimming and any kind of contact with water to the ears. For swimmer’s ear infection treatment, pain relieving medicines and antibiotics are required. For healing this situation, the ears may be required to get cleaned up. Applying heat to the ear can also help in decreasing the pain. The white vinegar rinse is helpful to restore the ear canals’ natural pH and reduces swelling.

Middle ear infection
Middle ear infections are also caused by bacteria and viruses. Upper respiratory infections on allergy can block the tubes in the middle ear area, which prevent air to reach there. The vacuum created pulls the fluid and germs from the nose and throat into the ear. Since the tubes are swollen the fluid is unable to drain out. This gives a chance for the growth of virus and bacteria which leads to infection.

Symptoms of the middle ear infection
The symptoms of middle ear infection can be noticed within 2 to 7 days after a cold or respiratory infection starts. The symptoms are:

• Ear pain
• Fever
• Drainage of thick and yellow or bloody liquid from the ear
• Vomiting, loss of appetite, mood swings
• Disturbed sleep

Middle ear infection treatment
The middle ear infection treatment involves getting rid of the ear pain. Pain and fever medications along with antibiotics can be prescribed by the doctor. Inserting ear tubes and the removal of adenoids and tonsils can also be a solution for children who have middle ear infections repeatedly.

Inner ear infection or Labyrinthitis
This is a condition that causes inflammation of the inner ear. Labyrinthitis occurs when the Labyrinth, which is a part of the inner ear, gets swollen. Labyrinth helps to control your balance. Inflammation in this part can be due to respiratory illness or viral and bacterial in here infections.

Inner ear infection symptoms
The symptoms of inner ear infection begin quickly and can be very intense for several days. The symptoms include:

• Dizziness 
• Nausea 
• Loss of hearing 
• Dizziness with sensation of moving or Vertigo 
• Ringing or buzzing in the ear or Tinnitus
• Difficulty in focusing eyes

Inner ear infection treatment
The inner ear infection treatment mostly involves medication to control the symptoms. The doctor can prescribe sedatives, antibiotics corticosteroids, and antihistamines.

Ruptured eardrum
If the pressure of the fluid buildup is very high inside the middle ear, it may result in a ruptured eardrum. Brown, yellow or whitish fluid comes out of the ear. When the eardrum bursts, the pain is generally reduced because the pressure is released.

Symptoms of a ruptured eardrum

• Sudden decrease in your pain or sudden sharp ear pain
• Bloody or clear liquid draining out of the ear
• Buzzing noise in the ear
• Loss of hearing partial or complete in the affected ear
• Episodic ear infection
• Dizziness or facial weakness

Treatment for ruptured eardrum
The eardrum mostly heals by itself within a few weeks after the rupture. The hearing does not worsen only if the condition does not occur repeatedly over a period. To prevent ear infection antibiotics are prescribed along with pain medications. The eardrum may require surgery to repair the rupture. The doctor will require attaching a piece of your tissue from above the ear to reconstruct the eardrum.

The above guide was to make you aware of the basic ear infections, the symptoms, as well as the ear infection treatments. It is always advisable to consult a doctor for any infection in the ear and follow their instructions for a speedy recovery.