Earaches, Ear Infections and Swimmer’s Ear

By a child’s third birthday, three out of four children will have at least one ear infection. These prove to be the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor. While adults can also get ear infections,  they are less common.

The infection usually affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. This can affect hearing as sound cannot get through all that fluid.

A few things to look for, if your child isn’t old enough to say “My ear hurts,”

• Tugging at ears
• Crying more than usual
• Fluid draining from the ear
• Trouble sleeping
• Balance difficulties
• Hearing problems

Often, ear infections go away on their own though a health care provider may recommend pain relievers. Severe infections and infections in young babies may require antibiotics.

Pain and discomfort for children and swimmers of all ages can be caused by Swimmer’s Ear. An infection of the outer ear canal, swimmer’s ear results in an estimated 2.4 million health care visits every year. Within a few days of swimming, symptoms of swimmer’s ear can appear. This condition is typically more common in children and is usually painful.

Our well-trained providers at Your Doc’s In are available on a walk-in basis and without an appointment to meet your health care needs. Services are available at all our clinics by our friendly, personable and capable staff.

We are open seven days a week with extended hours in some of our clinics. Care is provided for infants all the way through adults. And most insurance plans are accepted. Whether you are visiting the Ocean City area or a resident on the Delmarva Peninsula, take advantage of the services offered at Your Doc’s In. Your Doc’s In, “for Life’s Little Emergencies”. Proudly serving the community on the Eastern Shore since 2005.