Online Ear Infection Treatment in Pontiac, MI

Symptoms of an ear infection will usually show improvements within the first few days, and go away on their own within a week or two. Antibiotics may help treat bacterial infections, but bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics if they are used too often. For this reason, doctors may choose to wait and monitor the progression of the illness before prescribing antibiotics.

If you are prescribed antibiotics make sure you continue to take them even after symptoms have improved. Failure to do so can allow the infection to come back while increasing the likelihood of the bacteria becoming resistant to the medication.

If you or your child are experiencing a great deal of discomfort, talk to your doctor about using over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (generic for Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB). Follow the instructions on the label carefully and use them only as instructed. Using aspirin to treat children and teenagers recovering from a viral infection (such as chickenpox or flu-like symptoms) is not recommended, as it may trigger Reye’s syndrome (a rare disorder that causes brain and liver damage).

Anesthetic eardrops may also be used to treat pain as long as there is no damage to the eardrum.