Mother checks the temperature of a young child

Urgent care for ear infections and earaches

Although, ear infections are most common in children, they can happen to anyone. Earaches can have many causes; therefore, it is essential to identify the underlying reason for the pain. If you have ear infection symptoms or pain, our urgent care centers are here to help. Just walk in or save your spot online at your closest center for the earache relief you need.

Ear infection in kids

Ear infection and earache symptoms

Do you or your child have ear pain or ear infection symptoms?

Earaches and infections occur most commonly in children five years old and younger but can arise at any age. The primary earache symptom is dull, throbbing, burning or sharp pain, which can affect one or both ears. Hearing might be affected by the infection. The severity of the pain can vary depending on the underlying cause. Since ear pain occurs most often in young children, they may not always be able to express how they are feeling.

Other ear infection symptoms in adults and children to look for include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Drainage of the ear
  • Fever
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Loss of balance
  • Touching or tugging at the ear

If you or your child are experiencing these symptoms, don’t suffer.  Most underlying causes of ear pain can be treated. However, getting proper treatment to prevent any long-term damage to the ear is essential. Visit one of our urgent care centers for immediate evaluation and ear infection treatment. 

Ear infection in adults

What causes an ear infection?

Earaches have many causes, and the most common is due to an infection. This inflammation of the eardrum is usually associated with another underlying illness, such as a cold, that causes a blockage in the internal drainage of the ear and leads to pressurized pain.

There are many other underlying causes of earaches, including:

  • Allergies
  • Clogged eustachian tubes (ear tubes to the throat)
  • Damage to the ear canal
  • Dental problems
  • Earwax buildup 
  • Excessive mucus
  • Foreign body in the ear
  • Infected adenoids
  • Reactions to tobacco smoke
  • Sinus infection
  • Swimmer’s ear/external ear infections

To ensure you or your child receives proper treatment for an earache, get evaluated by a healthcare provider who can help identify the underlying cause of the pain.

Physician and child feel better

Ear infection testing and diagnosis

If you have an earache, your first step should be to schedule a visit with a provider for an ear exam. When you visit one of our urgent cares for an earache, start by walking in or saving your spot online. Although Virtual Urgent Care visits are also available at our centers, most earaches require an in-person evaluation.

During the exam, the provider will usually look into your ear with a lighted instrument to confirm the diagnosis. Ear infection treatment depends on the underlying cause. You may need antibiotics, decongestants or pain relievers. 

It is essential not to rely only on at-home earache treatments, which may make the pain worse. Avoid inserting anything into the ears, like cotton swabs, to prevent exacerbating the issue. You will receive proper guidance and treatment to remedy your pain upon provider consultation.

Visit an urgent care for ear infection treatment

Our urgent care centers are here to help evaluate and treat earaches or related conditions seven days a week, 365 days a year. Just walk in or save your spot online to ensure you get the right care and treatment. 

If ear pain is only one of your worries, we can treat many other related conditions. These include: 

  • Ear wax removal
  • Fever
  • Oral infections
  • Referrals for chronic ear infections
  • Seasonal allergies
  • Sinus infections
  • Upper respiratory infections

Our caring and knowledgeable providers are here to help relieve any discomfort or pain caused by ear infections. We are here to help the whole family, seven days a week, with weekends and extended hours. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Ear Infections

Frequently Asked Questions About Ear Infections

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