Ear Discomfort
Urgent Care for Ear Discomfort
Ear discomfort can have a few causes, including water in the ear canal or an earwax obstruction. One of the most common causes is an ear infection. Though adults can get ear infections, they are most common in children.
An ear infection can be quite uncomfortable for children. Their ears may feel clogged, achy, or painful. As a parent or caregiver, you can rest assured that help is nearby. Our experienced team at CareWell Urgent Care is ready to provide the exceptional, prompt treatment your child needs.
When to Go to Urgent Care for Ear Pain
Understanding when you should take your child to a provider for ear discomfort is important. You should take your child to urgent care for evaluation if:
- They are younger than 6 months.
- Their ear pain is significant.
- Their symptoms have lasted longer than a day.
- They cannot sleep or are irritable.
- There is discharge (i.e., pus, blood, or fluid) coming from their ear.
- Your child has had multiple ear infections.
Our experienced providers can evaluate your child’s symptoms and choose the appropriate course of treatment to deliver ear pain relief and prevent complications.
What Is an Ear Infection?
An ear infection occurs in the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the ear drum. As the result of a cold, allergies, or other congestion, a virus or bacteria may invade the middle ear, causing inflammation and swelling of the eustachian tube. Discharge cannot drain normally through the eustachian tube, and fluid accumulates and becomes a reservoir for infection.
Symptoms of an Ear Infection
Ear infections in children may have the following symptoms:
- Ear pain.
- Fussiness.
- Tugging at the ear.
- Difficulty hearing.
- Fever (100°F) or higher.
- Lack of appetite.
- Difficulty balancing.
In adults, symptoms of an ear infection may include:
- Ear pain or earache.
- Plugged ear.
- Difficulty hearing.
- Drainage from the ear.
- Ringing in ears.
Why Does My Ear Hurt?
The swelling of your eustachian tube, inflammation of tissues, and increased pressure that may result from an ear infection can cause ear pain and pressure.
Ear Pain Relief in Urgent Care
When you arrive at CareWell Urgent Care, our caring providers and clinical staff will ensure you and your child are comfortable and that you see a provider as soon as possible.
Your child’s provider will discuss their illness and symptoms, perform an exam, and examine their eardrum using a lighted instrument called an otoscope. An otoscope enables a provider to check the condition of the ear canal and eardrum visually. A swollen or red eardrum may indicate an ear infection.
Treatment depends on a child’s age, the severity of their symptoms, and the duration of their ear infection. If indicated, your provider may order an antibiotic if the infection is due to bacteria. It is important that your child takes the full course of their antibiotic to prevent recurrence.
Our providers are trained and experienced in caring for a spectrum of pediatric concerns and conditions.
Are Ear Infections Contagious?
Ear infections can’t be spread to others, but the virus or bacteria that caused the ear infection may be contagious. Ensure you take steps to prevent transmission to others, including careful handwashing.
CareWell Urgent Care: Your Family’s Home for Ear Pain Treatment
If your child is experiencing ear discomfort and you think they may have an infection, visit our exceptional team at any of our locations across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We provide top-tier care 7 days a week for a wide range of symptoms and conditions.
