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Pus in the ear - causes and therapy
contents
- What is pus and why does it arise??
- causes
- Ear inflammation
- Tubenkatarrh
- Otitis
- Inner Ear Inflammation (Labyrinthitis)
- Abscess or boil in the ear
- Foreign body in the ear
- treatment methods
- Naturopathic therapy options
- home remedies
- prevention
What is pus and why does it arise??
Pus arises as part of a "defensive battle". Leukocytes (white blood cells) migrate into an inflammatory area. These die off, plus bacteria and tissue remnants - all this together becomes pus.
Pus in the ear is a serious symptom that should urgently be clarified by a doctor. (Image: pathdoc / fotolia.com) causes
Possible causes of pus in the ear are ear infection (otitis externa), inner ear inflammation (labyrinthitis), otitis media (otitis media), injuries, abscesses, boils or foreign bodies in the ear.
Ear inflammation
An ear canal inflammation arises by damage of the skin in the external auditory canal. The causes for this are often improper cleaning or, for example, dirty bath water that has penetrated into the ear. The ear canal is painfully swollen, reddened and a greasy to bloody secretion occurs. Also pus in the ear is possible. If the ear canal is completely misplaced, those affected complain of hearing loss. Are no bacteria but fungi responsible for the inflammation, it is not the pain, but itching in the foreground. In severe cases, fever and local swelling of the lymph nodes are added to the symptoms already mentioned.
The attending physician determines the pathogen with the help of a smear. Depending on the cause, an alcohol, antibiotics, cortisone-containing ointment strip is inserted into the ear canal. In minor cases, appropriate ear drops are sufficient.
Tubenkatarrh
In children, a tubal catarrh in conjunction with a common cold is common. The Eustachian tube, also called Tuba auditiva or Eustachian tube, connects the nasopharynx with the middle ear. In a tubal catarrh the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube (Tuba auditiva, Eustachian tube) inflames. As a result, the pressure balance in the middle ear does not work properly. Especially in children, this often inflamed due to the child anatomical conditions. An acute tubal catarrh makes itself felt by a sudden pressure feeling in the ear. In addition, there may be piercing earache, a crack in the ear when swallowing and a hearing loss. The resulting secretions can be purulent. Tubenkatarrh is treated primarily with nose drops. Pain relieving medications may be prescribed. An antibiotic is usually only necessary if there is a risk of otitis media.
In children, middle ear infections are often the cause of pus in the ear. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com) Otitis
The causes of pus in the ear can be a middle ear infection. It is a serious condition and is essential for a doctor. This ear infection occurs especially in smaller children and is usually associated with an infection or an infectious disease, such as measles. Often bacteria are responsible for it. The pathogens reach over the ear trumpet in the direction of the eardrum. The mucous membrane inflames, swells and a purulent secretion forms.
As a rule, sudden, massive pains occur that have a pulsating character. The children feel very ill, have a fever and possibly even a headache. In infants and young children, the symptoms are often quite unspecific. They scream especially when they are supposed to lie down, want to be carried around constantly and suffer from diarrhea and / or vomiting. In addition, there is restlessness and a constant grip on the affected ear. Already at the softest touch the ear can hurt. Due to the secretion behind the eardrum, this can tear. If this is the case, secretion suddenly ceases and the pain subsides abruptly.
Inner Ear Inflammation (Labyrinthitis)
An inner ear infection, as the name suggests, takes place in the inner ear, where the equilibrium organ is located. In this disease, which often occurs with pus in the ear, a visit to the doctor is inevitable. Possible causes for this are, for example, a middle ear infection, which has not been cured and spread to the surrounding tissue. Equally possible is the propagation in the opposite direction. That is, an infection in the brain has moved towards the inner ear. Viral labyrinthitis can be triggered by viruses that are also responsible for infectious diseases such as measles or mumps.
The symptoms of this serious disease include dizziness, severe nausea, vomiting, deafness, and a pelvic effusion, which may consist of serous, but also bloody, mucous, or purulent fluid. Eventually, this must be relieved with the help of a surgical intervention.
Abscess or boil in the ear
A boil can arise where hair is, that is, the inflammation, in the form of a small pus, forms around a hair. A boil may form in the external auditory canal. This is often caused by improper cleaning with a cotton swab. The boil can be extremely painful, which may be exacerbated by chewing and speaking. As a rule, such a pimple-filled pimple is a harmless affair. But since the external auditory canal is difficult to see, a doctor should look at the boil. It may be necessary to scratch to allow the pus to drain.
But pus in the ear can also be related to an abscess. This is a complication that can arise from a boil. However, that happens quite seldom. No matter if boils or abscesses, in the auditory canal should not be pushed around on its own authority.
Foreign body in the ear
Especially in small children sometimes get foreign objects such as small toys, a marble or the like in the ear. In adults, it is more of a mosquito or beetles that have strayed into the ear. In any case, the foreign body must be removed, and in any case by a doctor. The foreign body can cause inflammation of the ear canal and thus also pus in the ear. If the "intruder" has injured the ear canal, special ear drops and possibly even painkillers are used.
treatment methods
With pus in the ear, as already mentioned, always a doctor should be consulted. But even if antibiotics, painkillers or the like are used, a naturopathic therapy, which is carried out at the same time, a good way to force the healing.
Naturopathic therapy options
With pus in the ear, Schüssler salts are a simple but very helpful therapeutic. Here are No. 1 Calcium fluoratum and No. 11 Silicea applied. If the pus can drain, but only then, the No. 12 Calcium sulfuricum is used. Homeopathy uses pus accumulations such as Myristica sebifera, Belladonna, Hepar sulfuris and Pyrogenium.
As a homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla is often used in pus in the ear. (Image: juhumbert / fotolia.com) If the pus in the ear occurs in connection with a tubal catarrh, it is recommended homeopathically, for example, pulsatilla, potassium bichromicum, causticum, and loofah operculata. Anthroposophic medicine uses ear drops to calm the affected mucous membrane in the ear. But this is only possible if the eardrum is intact. Phytotherapy is based on plants such as Echinacea for defense enhancement and Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium) against bacterial infections. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture as an accompaniment.
If the pus in the ear occurs together with a otitis media, homeopathic remedies Acidum nitricum, Barium carbonicum, Belladonna, Aconite, Calcium sulfurium, Mercurius solubilis and Pulsatilla are recommended as homeopathic treatment. The Schuessler salt therapy applies here No. 3 Ferrum phosphoricum, No. 4 potassium chloratum and No. 11 Silicea.
For recurrent infections, which are often the cause of an ear infection, with or without pus, a colon cleansing is indicated. Here, the intestine is "cleaned" and then rebuilt with appropriate means, so that the intestinal flora can fulfill their defense function again.
home remedies
With pus in the ear, home remedies can relieve the pain and speed up the healing process. For example, an onion wrap can significantly reduce discomfort and aid healing. For this an onion is chopped, packed in a cloth handkerchief, placed on the affected ear and fixed with a headband or a cap. The whole is still supported by heat, for example with a hot water bottle. The onion wrap helps with pus in the ear in conjunction with a tubal catarrh and a middle ear infection.
A bag of chamomile flowers, which is heated by steam and then placed on the ear, is a proven home remedy for ear infections. (Image: womue / fotolia.com) Another home remedy is chamomile. It relieves pain, has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Chamomile flowers are best placed in a cotton bag, this is tied up and then warmed up over steam. If the bag is no longer too hot, this is placed on the affected ear and fixed. With the camomile can also be made an ear steam bath. With a handful of chamomile flowers and boiling water, a steam bath is prepared. The aching ear is held over the rising vapors for a few minutes (when the water is no longer too hot)
If the eardrum is intact, homemade ear drops can help. This is simply warmed up some high-quality olive oil and dripped drop by drop into the ear canal. A small drop of lavender essential oil can be added to the olive oil. That supports the effect.
For earache with or without pus in the ear, heat is the drug of choice. For a small hot water bottle, but should not be called, or even warm towels are placed.
prevention
The following preventive measures help to protect against pus in the ear or against ear infections. Earache can be caused by tight earwax. To prevent this from happening, only the outer ear canal should be cleaned gently and never with a cotton swab. The already hardened earwax is removed with warmed up water. This is best done in pairs. The person concerned relaxes the unaffected ear and the second person uses a syringe without a needle to inject lukewarm water into his ear. It must be absolutely certain that there is no inflammation and the eardrum is intact. The water should act for a few minutes and then the head should be held with the ear down over a vessel. This can be repeated again. If the firm earwax should not dissolve, a professional ear cleaning is recommended to the doctor.
Chewing gum helps chewing so that the Eustachian tube is properly ventilated. This is especially important if someone suffers from recurring ear infections. After every shower or bath, drying the ears is recommended. For this purpose, a cloth or the hair dryer is used. A headband or a cap protect against wind and cold. Sensitive ears are protected while bathing with so-called bath mat.
If there is already a cold before the start of a flight, multiple drops of nasal drops are important. In addition, chewing gum should be chewed during the flight. (Sw)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)