Urgent care for ear infections and earaches
Although, ear infections are most common in children, they can happen to anyone. Earaches can have many causes; therefore, it is essential to identify the underlying reason for the pain. If you have ear infection symptoms or pain, the urgent care centers are here to help. Just walk in or save your spot online at your closest center for the earache relief you need.
Ear infection and earache symptoms
Do you or your child have ear pain or ear infection symptoms?
Earaches and infections occur most commonly in children five years old and younger but can arise at any age. The primary earache symptom is dull, throbbing, burning or sharp pain, which can affect one or both ears. Hearing might be affected by the infection. The severity of the pain can vary depending on the underlying cause. Since ear pain occurs most often in young children, they may not always be able to express how they are feeling.
Other ear infection symptoms in adults and children to look for include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Drainage of the ear
- Fever
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of balance
- Touching or tugging at the ear
If you or your child are experiencing these symptoms, don’t suffer. Most underlying causes of ear pain can be treated. However, getting proper treatment to prevent any long-term damage to the ear is essential. Visit one of the urgent care centers for immediate evaluation and ear infection treatment.
What causes an ear infection?
Earaches have many causes, and the most common is due to an infection. This inflammation of the eardrum is usually associated with another underlying illness, such as a cold, that causes a blockage in the internal drainage of the ear and leads to pressurized pain.
There are many other underlying causes of earaches, including:
- Allergies
- Clogged eustachian tubes (ear tubes to the throat)
- Damage to the ear canal
- Dental problems
- Earwax buildup
- Excessive mucus
- Foreign body in the ear
- Infected adenoids
- Reactions to tobacco smoke
- Sinus infection
- Swimmer’s ear/external ear infections
To ensure you or your child receives proper treatment for an earache, get evaluated by a healthcare provider who can help identify the underlying cause of the pain.
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Ear infection testing and diagnosis
If you have an earache, your first step should be to schedule a visit with a provider for an ear exam. When you visit one of the urgent cares for an earache, start by walking in or saving your spot online. Although Virtual Urgent Care visits are also available at the centers, most earaches require an in-person evaluation.
During the exam, the provider will usually look into your ear with a lighted instrument to confirm the diagnosis. Ear infection treatment depends on the underlying cause. You may need antibiotics, decongestants or pain relievers.
It is essential not to rely only on at-home earache treatments, which may make the pain worse. Avoid inserting anything into the ears, like cotton swabs, to prevent exacerbating the issue. You will receive proper guidance and treatment to remedy your pain upon provider consultation.
