“Should I go to the ER if I have a severe ear infection?”

If the pain is so severe and won’t allow you to sleep going to an ER might be appropriate but keep in mind with this covid surge, you will wait a long time. So if you can go to urgent care or your primary care doctor, that might be a better use of your time.

Ear infections have variable aspects. Some are simple external canal skin-only infections, caused typically by dirt, pollen, wax, and then bacteria. These are treated specifically with ear drop antibiotics. Do not use Q-tips ever though, as these can push all of the accumulations to the ear tympanic membrane, which will create awful complications. On occasion, a clinical ear canal irrigation at an Urgent Care Center helps tremendously, followed by ear solution drops at home. So, an Urgent Care Center is most often the optimal place to go. The Provider Staff at an Urgent Care Center can also examine the ear tympanic membrane to evaluate for inflammation and middle ear infection. Antibiotics orally are prescribed. An Emergency Department may provide these cares, but ED Staff are busy with so many other ailments and you may wait a long time. An ENT office will provide best care if you can get in. The Urgent Care Visit is my best recommendation.

Rex

I would go to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor.