health

Ear infections are caused by disease organisms causing tissue inflammation
and fluid buildup in the skin of the outer ear or the structures of the
middle ear.

The symptoms of otitis externa may include:

• Sudden onset of pain
  
• Intense pain when the outer ear is pulled or moved
  
• Itching
  
• Swelling of the outer ear or nearby lymph nodes in the neck
  
• Feeling of fullness in the ear
  
• Temporary loss of hearing or feeling that sounds are muffled
  
• Pus draining from the ear
  
• Red or flaky skin on the outside of the ear

The symptoms of otitis media may include:

• Intense crying in very young children
  
• Tugging or pulling at the ear
  
• Fever
• Irritability and headaches
  
• Trouble sleeping or poor feeding
  
• Nausea and vomiting (in small infants)
  
• Hearing loss
  
• Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear
  
• Fluid draining from the ear (This symptom usually indicates that
  the eardrum has ruptured.)

If the child has otitis media with effusion, there may be a slight
hearing loss or no symptoms at all.