How do you tell the difference between otitis media and labyrinthitis?
It’s hard to tell the difference between a middle ear infection (otitis media) and an inner ear infection (labyrinthitis) without having a doctor look in the ear. They usually feel the same – a deep, throbbing pain within the ear, sometimes stabbing, that may radiate throughout that side of the head. A deeper infection may cause a perforation in the eardrum, which would lead to extreme sharp pain and drainage of pus and/or blood from the ear. If you are having pain that is consistent with an ear infection, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away. Minor ear infections can clear up on their own without antibiotics, but more severe infections (especially those of the inner ear) need antibiotics to clear them up. Leaving an ear infection untreated can cause permanent damage to the ear, leading to hearing loss, and can spread into other areas of your sinuses and even cause pitting of the skull. Hope that helps!
