Consult by instant messaging with a Ear infection

Ear infection: diagnosis and online consultation without an appointment

Relatively common in children, an ear infection can also affect adults' ears. Often mild, this ENT condition can nonetheless cause intense pain and lead to complications. It is best to consult a general practitioner if you have an ear infection.

Recognising an ear infection and its symptoms

Ear infections tend to be more common in people who clean their ears too often. Earwax does in fact play a role in our body: it protects the ears from bacteria that could otherwise develop. An ear infection can be viral or bacterial in origin. This inflammation can follow a chronic or acute course. It is not uncommon to develop an ear infection following a cold or a sore throat. Ear infections are often mild, but some cases can lead to hearing loss and deafness if poorly treated. The most obvious symptoms of an ear infection are as follows:
 • Ear pain;
 • Itching;
 • Redness and swelling of the ear canal;
 • Blocked ears;
 • A sensation of your heartbeat in the ear.
Other, less common symptoms can also help detect an ear infection, such as sharp pain present in only one of the two ears, a fever that can sometimes be fairly high, ringing in the ears and tinnitus, and a noticeable reduction in hearing. Headaches can also be counted among the symptoms of an ear infection. There are several types of ear infection depending on where the infection is located. Outer ear infections (otitis externa) are the most common in adults and very painful, showing up as inflammation of the outer ear canal. Acute middle ear infections (otitis media) are more common in children and are caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Finally, serous otitis media (glue ear) is caused by inflammation of the sinuses and nose. Often not very painful, this type of ear infection can nonetheless become infected. Since ear infections are fairly common in children, it can be worth learning to spot the symptoms in young children. Ear pain can be severe and vary in intensity. An ear infection can also produce a yellowish discharge.

Consult a doctor without delay in case of an ear infection

To avoid any complications, it is best to consult a general practitioner without delay. An ear infection can sometimes clear up on its own, but if the earache persists for two or three days, it is best to discuss it with a doctor. Intense pain requires a consultation. If your child or baby has an ear infection, do not wait before consulting a doctor. Feeli offers consultations without an appointment, which limits the wait, with general practitioners and paediatricians. Depending on the inflammation, the healthcare professional may prescribe a local treatment in the form of ear drops, a systemic treatment, or a painkiller. There is no need to book an appointment in advance on Feeli — all consultations take place without an appointment to save you time. This service offers you a medical consultation with a healthcare professional as quickly as possible. In the case of an ear infection, it is advisable not to wait before getting care. The Feeli website sends you an email to let you know when a doctor has accepted your request and the medical consultation can take place. Online consultation is simple and quick, with no need to visit a medical practice. Once the consultation is over, if the doctor wishes to issue you a prescription, it will be made available directly on your patient account within 5 minutes.

What are the causes of the different types of ear infection?

Ear infections have several causes, depending on the type of infection, namely:
 1. Bacterial cause, from an infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, particularly for acute otitis media, which is common in children;
 2. Viral cause, often following a bacterial superinfection;
 3. Chemical irritation, for example caused by the use of irritating hygiene products (cleansers, cotton buds, etc.);
 4. Blockage of the Eustachian tube. Allergies, a respiratory tract infection, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or other factors can lead to discharge and an infection of the middle ear.
These causes are not exhaustive. In addition, acute otitis media often occurs as a complication of an allergy or a cold. Finally, ear infections can also result from a combination of factors, although bacterial infections affect children more. Other factors, such as attending daycare or nursery, passive smoking, or allergy and cold season, make the development of an ear infection more likely.

What are the treatments for an ear infection?

The treatment for an ear infection depends on its cause (bacterial or viral), the severity of the symptoms, and also the patient's age. That said, here are some common treatments for ear infections:
 • Treatment for acute otitis media may involve antibiotics when the infection is severe, but this is not systematic;
 • For otitis externa (infection of the outer ear canal): antibacterial ear drops may be used to treat the infection. The ear must also be cleaned to remove any pus or debris;
 • Otitis media with effusion is often caused by inflammation without a bacterial infection. Doctors may recommend monitoring the symptoms, as the inflammation often clears up on its own. In cases of chronic otitis media, other treatment options may be considered, such as draining the middle ear using a tube.
Finally, fever and pain can be treated using painkillers, such as paracetamol, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Supervision by a healthcare professional is nonetheless essential, to avoid side effects or contraindications.

The benefits of using Feeli's services for an ear infection

Getting advice, prescriptions, or medical certificates on Feeli during a consultation for a child or an adult, in the case of an ear infection, is convenient and easy. Teleconsultations are accessible without any appointment. If the ear inflammation cannot be treated during the remote consultation, the general practitioner or specialist can refer the patient to an in-person consultation for a physical examination. On Feeli, it is possible to consult a doctor during holidays, at weekends, or when medical facilities are not always open. Teleconsultation is a practical alternative that provides faster access to consultations. There is no need to book an appointment in the case of an ear infection — Feeli puts you in touch with a healthcare professional you can talk to via instant messaging. For ear infections and earache, log on to feeli.io without delay to benefit from an online consultation.