Can otitis media heal itself?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 24, 2025
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Otitis media is difficult to heal on its own because it is caused by an acute bacterial infection that leads to reduced eustachian tube function, resulting in fluid accumulation in the middle ear cavity. Patients will experience sudden high fever, with body temperatures above 38.5°C, severe pain in the ear, and symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of ear fullness. Upon examination, the eardrum appears significantly congested and swollen, and a large amount of fluid can be found in the middle ear cavity. In terms of treatment, otitis media initially requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment. Patients can take oral medications such as cefaclor, amoxicillin, and potassium penicillin V tablets. At the same time, the ear should be treated locally with ofloxacin ear drops twice a day, which can reduce local congestion and swelling. During treatment, patients also need to maintain a light diet, avoid vigorously blowing their nose, and prevent water from entering the outer ear canal. Generally, recovery can gradually occur within a week. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if I have inflammation of otitis media?

Otitis media is a relatively common ENT disease. After the onset, it is necessary to visit an ENT department, where routine blood tests and otoscopic examinations can be conducted to determine the extent and type of inflammation. Most patients may consider conservative medical treatment, commonly using oral medications and ear drops. During the treatment process, regular follow-ups are required to observe the effects of the treatment. However, for some patients with severe conditions where conservative medical treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention may be considered. Post-surgery, regular follow-ups are also needed to monitor the recovery. Overall, with timely treatment, the condition can be well-controlled. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can otitis media heal itself?

Some cases of otitis media can recover on their own, mainly depending on the degree of inflammation and the patient's own resistance. If the inflammatory response is mild and the patient’s own resistance is strong, there is a chance for gradual recovery through resistance. However, this situation requires dynamic observation of the changes in the condition. Without treatment, some patients may gradually worsen, and in such cases, timely consideration of medication is necessary. If the inflammatory response is already significant, or if the patient's own resistance is poor, it is generally recommended to promptly perform an otoscopy and cooperate with antibiotics to fight the infection. Generally, the treatment period is about one week.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does otitis media spread?

Otitis media is a common and frequent disease in the field of otorhinolaryngology, mainly caused by bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, otitis media is generally not contagious. In certain situations where families live closely together, it is possible for two children to be sick at the same time; however, this is often related to the living environment or other upper respiratory infections, which does not indicate that otitis media is contagious. On the other hand, some specific infections may be contagious, such as tuberculous otitis media. The secretions from tuberculous otitis media are contagious, so it is important to differentiate between types of otitis media to determine whether they are contagious. Generally, otitis media is not contagious.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How to treat granulation in otitis media?

Granulation tissue proliferation in otitis media indicates an active phase of inflammation. In clinical treatment, the first approach is medication, mainly using antibiotics and hormones, with both local and systemic applications of these drugs concurrently. Treatment usually lasts about two weeks. Generally, most granulations in otitis media are relatively small and can gradually shrink or even completely disappear with such medication. For granulations that fill the middle ear and tympanic cavity, if they cannot be reduced or controlled effectively through medication, then surgical intervention is necessary to remove the granulations in the middle ear cavity and thus treat the otitis media.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How to treat otitis media with effusion?

Otorrhea in otitis media suggests that it may be acute purulent otitis media. This fluid could be mucopurulent or purulent secretion, primarily considered to be caused by bacterial infection. Clinically, we mainly focus on anti-infection treatment. Locally, antibiotic ear drops like ofloxacin ear drops can be used. Systemically, oral antibiotics such as cephalosporins are utilized among others. Additionally, in cases of otorrhea, we need to rule out cerebrospinal fluid leakage caused by otitis media, which results in drainage through the external auditory canal. This requires a CT scan for verification.