What should I do if I have otitis media?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 01, 2025
00:00
00:00

Otitis media is a common otolaryngological condition that often occurs in patients who frequently swim or clean their ears excessively, as well as those who accumulate cholesteatomas in the external ear canal, leading to otitis media and tympanic membrane perforation. The main pathogens associated with otitis media are typically Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. The treatment involves selecting sensitive antibiotics based on throat swab culture and drug sensitivity tests to provide anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment. If the inflammation is severe and there is formation of cholesteatoma or granulation tissue along with perforation of the tympanic membrane in the external auditory canal, it may be necessary to perform mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty to thoroughly remove the middle ear lesions and achieve healing. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
52sec home-news-image

How to medicate for secretory otitis media?

Secretory otitis media refers to a type of sterile otitis media caused by the negative pressure in the middle ear cavity due to blockage of the Eustachian tube, leading to the exudation and accumulation of fluid in the middle ear cavity. The treatment of secretory otitis media includes both pharmacological and surgical interventions. Pharmacologically, corticosteroids such as dexamethasone and prednisone are mainly used. Some antibiotics, like cephalosporin antibiotics, may also be used. Nasal treatments, such as mometasone furoate nasal spray, are also necessary. Additionally, medications that facilitate the drainage of secretions from the middle ear, such as Mucosolvan, can be used. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
44sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
45sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
57sec home-news-image

Symptoms of otitis media

Otitis media is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity of the middle ear. The inflammation can cause pain, tympanic membrane perforation, pus, etc., and can lead to decreased hearing and a feeling of stuffiness in the ears. These are some of the common symptoms of otitis media. If the inflammation is recurrent and chronic, the pus inside may be yellow, viscous, and foul-smelling, and there may also be some gritty substances. This situation should be considered for the possibility of cholesteatoma otitis media, and it is best to check with a CT scan. If it is a frequently inflamed, chronic type of otitis media, it might be bone ulcerative otitis media or cholesteatoma otitis media, which requires surgical treatment. When washing hair, avoid getting water into the ears and refrain from consuming spicy and irritating foods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Can otitis media heal itself?

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.)