Pediatric Ear infections Treatment Specialist in Scottsdale and Glendale, AZ

If the infection is bacterial, you may receive a prescription for a topical or oral antibiotic. Here are a few of the main types of antibiotics doctors commonly prescribe to treat an ear infection:

• Amoxil (amoxicillin)
• Augmentin (amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate)
• Cortisporin (neomycin/polymyxin b/hydrocortisone) solution or suspension
• Cortisporin TC (colistin/neomycin/thonzonium/hydrocortisone) suspension
• Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone) suspension
• Cipro HC (ciprofloxacin/hydrocortisone) suspension
• Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin) solution
• Ocuflox (ofloxacin) solution
• Floxin (ofloxacin) solution
• Acetasol HC (hydrocortisone/acetic acid) solution

Most ear infections go away on their own without any medical intervention. In fact, upwards of 80% of ear infections clear up on their own. However, antibiotics are prescribed for more serious infections, for repeated infections, when a child is younger than 6 months old, and when a child is more prone to illness. In rare cases, if an ear infection is left untreated, it can lead to severe pain and even hearing loss.

Different types of infections occur within the ear, pertaining to each of the ear’s sections: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Each section of the ear has a unique form and function, so how long an ear infection will last depends upon which section of the ear is infected.

• Tending to last the longest, inner ear infections have symptoms that often persist for several months.
• Middle ear infections usually don’t last longer than one or two days.
• Outer ear infections can last up to a week, or sometimes longer.

Ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses. As is often the case, an ear infection begins after a cold or other respiratory infection. The bacteria or virus travel into the middle ear through the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. The bacteria or virus often cause the eustachian tube to swell, causing the tube to become blocked. This causes the naturally produced fluids to build up in the middle ear, instead of normally draining away. An additional problem for children is that the eustachian tube is shorter and has less of a slope than in adults. This physical difference coupled with young ones naturally being in a horizontal position makes these tubes easier to become clogged and more difficult to drain. The fluid that gets trapped inside the ear can become infected by a virus or bacteria, which causes large amounts of pain.

If you or your child has an ear infection, come to KidsHealth Pediatrics today! Our team of kind and caring staff are experienced in treating ear infections, and can help you or your child find the relief they need! To talk with an expert, contact our office today. Visit us online or give us a call to schedule an appointment at our clinic. We have 2 pediatric clinics in Scottsdale, and Glendale, AZ. We serve patients from Glendale AZ, Peoria AZ, Sun City AZ, Scottsdale AZ, North Scottsdale AZ, Grayhawk AZ, and surrounding areas of Phoenix AZ.