Professional Care

If an infection is present, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Amoxicillin is the antibiotic most commonly used for ear infections. It is very important to take the entire antibiotic prescribed and to take it as scheduled. Antibiotic therapy is generally prescribed for a week to ten days, depending on the antibiotic prescribed.

Medication may also be given to help open the eustachian tube. Nose drops, decongestants, and antihistamines may be used for this purpose with the approval of a physician. The doctor will probably want to re-examine the ears after treatment to be sure the infection is gone. The doctor will also want to know if there isn't improvement after a few days on an antibiotic. A change in prescription might be recommended if the first one isn't working.

If the problem is a buildup in earwax, the doctor will drain the wax. This may be done using prescription eardrops that will dissolve the wax, so it can drain. Attempts to remove this blockage on your own may push it further into the canal and worsen the problem.