“How is an ear infection treated?”

There are different types of ear infections. The outer ear infection is called otitis externa or swimmer's ear. It is treated with antibiotic ear drops. A middle ear infection, called otitis media, it treated with oral antibiotics. Some middle ear infections are caused by viruses, and will go away on its own. Your doctor may recommend watching without antibiotics if the child is doing well. Always discuss this option well with your doctor, so you have a backup plan if your child is getting worse. an inner ear infection is called labyrinthitis. It is usually viral, so antibiotics are not needed, but because this type of ear infection can make your child dizzy, medicines may be prescribed for the dizziness.

Depends on type of infection, e.g. ear canal, middle ear, viral, bacterial, etc. Ear canal infection are treated with debridement of canal and topical antibiotic/steroid drops. Middle ear infection usually treated with oral antibiotics. Viral may not treated or if severe with antivirals and steroids. Bacterial will usually respond to oral antibiotics. All earaches are not by definition ear infections.