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Ear Infection
Ear infections can range from minor discomfort to severe pain requiring prompt medical attention. At ContinuEM Urgent Care in Lakewood, CA, our trained Emergency Room Physicians offer fast, expert evaluation and treatment for ear infections in both children and adults, eliminating the typical emergency room wait times and the need for appointments.
Whether you or your child is experiencing sudden ear pain, drainage, hearing loss, or concerning symptoms following a cold, our urgent care clinic offers comprehensive diagnostic services and evidence-based treatments to identify the cause and provide relief.
What is an Ear Infection?
An ear infection occurs when bacteria or viruses cause inflammation and fluid buildup in various parts of the ear, including the outer ear canal, middle ear (behind the eardrum), or inner ear. The middle ear infection, medically known as otitis media, is the most common type, especially in children.
Ear infections often develop following colds or respiratory illnesses when the eustachian tubes (small passages connecting the middle ear to the throat) become swollen and blocked, preventing proper drainage. This trapped fluid creates an environment where bacteria and viruses can multiply, leading to infection, increased pressure, and pain.
While ear infections are most common in children between 6 months and 2 years due to their smaller, more horizontal eustachian tubes, adults can also develop ear infections. Our experienced providers at ContinuEM are trained to diagnose and treat ear infections in patients of all ages.
When to Visit an Urgent Care for an Ear Infection
Most ear infections don’t require emergency care, but certain symptoms warrant prompt medical attention. ContinuEM Urgent Care is equipped with specialized instruments to examine your ear and provide immediate treatment for ear infections, offering a convenient alternative to waiting days for a primary care appointment or sitting in a crowded emergency room.
Come to ContinuEM Urgent Care If You Experience:
Ear Pain or Discomfort That:
- Is moderate to severe and interfering with daily activities
- Persists for more than 2-3 days without improvement
- Developed following a cold, flu, or sinus infection
- Causes difficulty sleeping or significant distress
- Is accompanied by tugging or pulling at the ear (especially in children)
Accompanying Symptoms:
- Fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher
- Fluid, pus, or discharge draining from the ear
- Hearing loss or muffled hearing in one or both ears
- Persistent itching in the ear canal
- Fullness or pressure sensation in the ear
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Symptoms that worsen rather than improve after several days
- Inability to keep fluids down due to pain
- Increased fussiness, irritability, or crying in children
Recent Changes:
- Ear pain that developed after swimming or bathing (swimmer’s ear)
- Symptoms following air travel or altitude changes
- Recurring ear infections (three or more in six months)
- Pain following ear trauma or insertion of objects in the ear
For Infants and Young Children:
- Pulling or tugging at their ears repeatedly
- Increased crying, especially when lying down
- Difficulty sleeping or restlessness
- Loss of appetite or refusing to eat during feedings
- Fever along with ear symptoms
- Balance problems or clumsiness
- Not responding to sounds as usual
When to Go to the Emergency Room:
While ContinuEM handles the vast majority of ear infections, specific symptoms require immediate emergency care. Seek emergency care if you experience:
- Signs of mastoiditis: severe swelling, redness, or tenderness behind the ear with or without fever
- Facial paralysis or drooping on one side
- Severe headache with neck stiffness (possible meningitis)
- Sudden severe hearing loss
- Extreme dizziness or vertigo with inability to walk
- High fever (over 104°F) that doesn’t respond to medication
- Signs of severe infection spreading beyond the ear
- Infants under 3 months with any fever (100.4°F or higher)
- Altered mental status or confusion with ear symptoms
Making the Right Choice:
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms require urgent care or emergency services, call our clinic at (562) 731-3990. Our staff can help you determine the most appropriate level of care for your situation.
Common Symptoms of Ear Infections
Ear infection symptoms vary depending on which part of the ear is affected and whether the patient is an adult or a child. Recognizing these symptoms helps our providers accurately diagnose your condition.
Types of Symptoms by Ear Region:
Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media) Symptoms:
- Ear pain ranging from mild to severe, often throbbing
- Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Muffled hearing or temporary hearing loss
- Fever (more common in children)
- Fluid drainage from the ear if the eardrum ruptures
- Difficulty sleeping or lying down due to increased pressure
- Irritability and fussiness in children
- Balance problems or dizziness
Outer Ear Infection (Swimmer’s Ear) Symptoms:
- Pain that worsens when pulling on the outer ear or pressing the tragus (small flap in front of the ear canal)
- Itching inside the ear canal
- Redness and swelling of the outer ear
- Drainage of clear or pus-like fluid
- Decreased hearing due to ear canal swelling
- Jaw pain that extends from the ear
- Feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear
Inner Ear Infection Symptoms:
- Vertigo (sensation of spinning or room moving)
- Significant dizziness and balance problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Sudden or gradual hearing loss
- Unsteadiness or difficulty walking
Symptoms in Children vs. Adults:
Children’s Ear Infection Signs:
Because young children and infants can’t always communicate their pain, watch for:
- Tugging, pulling, or rubbing the ears
- Increased crying, especially when lying down
- Fussiness and irritability beyond normal behavior
- Trouble sleeping or frequent waking
- Fever ranging from 100.5°F to 104°F
- Loss of appetite or difficulty feeding
- Not responding to quiet sounds
- Loss of balance or clumsiness
- Fluid draining from the ear
Adult Ear Infection Symptoms:
- Ear pain or aching sensation
- Decreased hearing or muffled sounds
- Feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
- Drainage from the ear canal
- Mild fever (less common than in children)
- Dizziness or balance issues with inner ear infections
What Causes Ear Infections?
Ear infections develop when bacteria or viruses infect different parts of the ear. Understanding the causes helps you recognize when professional evaluation is needed and how to prevent future infections.
Middle Ear Infection Causes:
Viral and Bacterial Infections:
The most common cause of middle ear infections is blocked eustachian tubes following:
- Common cold or upper respiratory infections
- Flu (influenza)
- Sinus infections
- Throat infections
- Allergies causing inflammation and congestion
Common Bacterial Causes:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (most common)
- Haemophilus influenzae (nontypeable)
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus)
How Middle Ear Infections Develop:
The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, equalizing air pressure and draining fluids. When these tubes become swollen and blocked due to colds, allergies, or respiratory infections, fluid accumulates behind the eardrum. Bacteria or viruses in this trapped fluid multiply, causing infection, inflammation, and pressure buildup.
Outer Ear Infection Causes (Swimmer’s Ear):
Water Exposure:
- Swimming in pools, lakes, or oceans
- Excessive showering or bathing
- Trapped moisture in the ear canal after water activities
- Humid environments
Mechanical Trauma:
- Cotton swabs or other objects inserted into the ear
- Aggressive ear cleaning
- Scratches or abrasions in the ear canal
- Foreign objects lodged in the ear
- Use of hearing aids or earbuds
- Hair spray or other products getting into the ear canal
Bacterial and Fungal Causes:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (most common bacterial cause)
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Fungal infections (otomycosis) from Aspergillus or Candida
Inner Ear Infection Causes:
Viral Infections:
- Influenza (flu)
- Herpes zoster oticus (shingles affecting the ear)
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Measles
- Mumps
- Respiratory viruses spreading from the middle ear
Other Causes:
- Bacterial meningitis (rare but serious)
- Head injuries
- Autoimmune conditions
Risk Factors:
For Children:
- Age: Infants and toddlers (6 months to 2 years) have the highest risk
- Anatomical factors: Shorter, more horizontal eustachian tubes that don’t drain as efficiently
- Daycare attendance: Increased exposure to infections
- Bottle-feeding while lying down
- Pacifier use beyond age 2
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Family history of recurrent ear infections
- Seasonal factors: More common in fall and winter
- Enlarged adenoids blocking eustachian tube drainage
For Adults:
- Chronic allergies or sinus problems
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
- Weakened immune system
- Recent upper respiratory infection
- Anatomical abnormalities or eustachian tube dysfunction
- Frequent water exposure (swimming, diving)
- Use of cotton swabs or improper ear cleaning
- Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis affecting the ear canal
How ContinuEM Diagnoses Ear Infections
Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. Our ER-trained physicians use specialized instruments and techniques to identify the type and severity of your ear infection.
Your Visit Experience:
Medical History Review: We’ll ask detailed questions about your symptoms, including when they started, whether one or both eyes are affected, the type and color of any discharge, and whether you wear contact lenses. We’ll also review your overall health, recent illnesses, potential allergen exposure, and any previous eye infections or conditions.
Visual Assessment: We’ll evaluate how your eye looks, checking for redness, swelling, discharge, and any visible abnormalities or foreign objects.
Physical Examination: Our provider will carefully examine your ear using specialized instruments:
Otoscope Examination:
The otoscope is a lighted instrument that allows us to visualize your ear canal and eardrum. We check for:
- Redness, swelling, or inflammation of the ear canal
- Fluid or pus behind the eardrum
- Eardrum appearance: bulging, retracted, or perforated
- Eardrum color: healthy (pearly gray) vs. infected (red, yellow, or cloudy)
- Signs of trauma or foreign objects
Pneumatic Otoscope:
This specialized otoscope gently puffs air against the eardrum to test its movement. A healthy eardrum moves easily, while an eardrum with fluid behind it moves minimally or not at all.
Additional Diagnostic Testing When Needed:
- Tympanometry: Measures how well the eardrum moves and detects fluid in the middle ear by assessing eardrum compliance and pressure
- Hearing Tests: Simple hearing evaluations to determine if the infection has caused temporary hearing loss
- Ear Culture: If drainage is present and the infection isn’t responding to initial treatment, we may culture the fluid to identify specific bacteria or fungi
- Temperature Check: Fever often accompanies ear infections, especially in children
Determining Infection Type and Severity:
Our providers assess:
- Location: Outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear infection
- Cause: Bacterial, viral, or fungal
- Severity: Mild, moderate, or severe
- Complications: Eardrum perforation, spreading infection, or chronic fluid buildup
Specialized Referrals:
If your ear infection is severe, chronic, or complicated by underlying conditions, we may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT/otolaryngologist) for advanced care such as ear tube placement, hearing evaluation, or surgical intervention. We’ll provide all necessary medical records to ensure continuity of care.
Treatment Options at ContinuEM
Treatment for ear infections depends on the type, cause, and severity of the infection. Our goal is to relieve pain, resolve the infection, and prevent complications.
Common Treatment Approaches:
Pain Management:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
- Prescription pain medication for severe discomfort
- Anesthetic ear drops for outer ear infections (not used if eardrum is perforated)
- Warm compress recommendations for home comfort
Antibiotic Treatment:
When Antibiotics Are Prescribed:
- Severe ear infections with high fever or intense pain
- Children under 6 months with middle ear infection
- Bilateral (both ears) ear infections in young children
- Symptoms lasting more than 2-3 days without improvement
- Perforated eardrum with drainage
- High risk patients (immune compromised, chronic conditions)
- Bacterial outer ear infections (swimmer’s ear)
Common Antibiotics:
- Amoxicillin (first-line treatment for middle ear infections)
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (for resistant bacteria)
- Antibiotic ear drops for outer ear infections
Watchful Waiting Approach:
For certain cases, especially mild middle ear infections in children over 2 years, we may recommend monitoring symptoms for 48-72 hours before starting antibiotics, as many ear infections resolve on their own. This approach:
- Reduces unnecessary antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance
- Allows the body’s immune system to fight the infection naturally
- Is safe when symptoms are mild and the child is otherwise healthy
- Still includes pain management during the observation period
Ear Drops:
- Antibiotic ear drops for swimmer’s ear (otitis externa)
- Antifungal ear drops for fungal infections
- Combination drops containing antibiotics and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
Supportive Care:
- Decongestants to reduce eustachian tube swelling
- Antihistamines for allergy-related ear infections
- Nasal steroid sprays to reduce inflammation
- Saline nasal irrigation to clear congestion
Ear Cleaning (Aural Toilet):
For outer ear infections, professional ear canal cleaning removes debris, drainage, and infected material, allowing ear drops to work more effectively.
Eardrum Perforation Management:
If the eardrum has ruptured (perforated), we’ll:
- Keep the ear dry (no water exposure)
- Prescribe appropriate antibiotics
- Avoid certain ear drops that could damage middle ear structures
- Monitor healing (most perforations heal on their own within weeks)
What Happens After Your Visit:
Most ear infections improve significantly within 48-72 hours of treatment. We’ll provide clear instructions for:
- Medication usage and timing (completing full antibiotic course even if symptoms improve)
- Pain management strategies at home
- Warning signs requiring immediate follow-up (worsening pain, high fever, spreading redness, dizziness)
- When to return if symptoms don’t improve
- Ear care instructions (keeping ears dry, avoiding cotton swabs)
- Follow-up recommendations for chronic or recurrent infections
For Children with Recurrent Infections:
Children with frequent ear infections (three or more in six months, or four in one year) may benefit from:
- Referral to an ENT specialist
- Evaluation for ear tube placement (tympanostomy tubes)
- Assessment for underlying causes (allergies, enlarged adenoids, structural issues)
Why Choose ContinuEM for Ear Infection Treatment
When ear pain strikes you or your child, you need fast, expert care without the hassle. Here’s what sets ContinuEM apart:
Emergency Medicine Expertise: Our providers are Emergency Medicine trained with extensive experience, ensuring you receive the highest quality diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
No Appointment Necessary: Walk-ins are always welcome. When you’re in pain, the last thing you need is to wait days for an appointment.
Extended Hours for Your Convenience:
- Monday-Friday: 8 AM – 11 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Comprehensive On-Site Services: With laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging available in our clinic, we can quickly identify the cause of your pain without sending you elsewhere.
Shorter Wait Times Than the ER: Urgent care provides a faster alternative to emergency rooms for non-life-threatening conditions, with significantly shorter wait times and lower costs.
Transparent Pricing: We accept most insurance plans, and our $99 upfront service fee provides cost transparency, with the remaining balance billed directly to your insurance.
Serving the Lakewood Community: Conveniently located in Lakewood, CA, we serve patients throughout Los Angeles County: Long Beach, Downey, Cerritos, Bellflower, Paramount, Signal Hill, Norwalk, Naples, Belmont Shore, and Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Buena Park, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, and the West Garden Grove area.
Risk Factors for Ear Infections
While anyone can develop an ear infection, certain factors increase your likelihood:
Age-Related Factors:
- Children ages 6 months to 2 years (peak risk period)
- Infants and toddlers with underdeveloped immune systems
- Children with smaller, more horizontal eustachian tubes that don’t drain efficiently
Environmental Factors:
- Daycare or group childcare attendance
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Seasonal factors (more common in fall and winter)
- Air pollution or poor air quality
- Frequent swimming or water exposure (for swimmer’s ear)
Health-Related Factors:
- Recent or current upper respiratory infections (colds, flu, sinusitis)
- Chronic allergies
- Enlarged or infected adenoids
- Immune system deficiencies or weakened immunity
- Cleft palate or other craniofacial abnormalities
- Down syndrome
- Chronic respiratory conditions (asthma, cystic fibrosis)
Behavioral Factors:
- Bottle-feeding while lying flat (allows fluid to flow into eustachian tubes)
- Pacifier use beyond age 2
- Inserting objects into ears (cotton swabs, bobby pins, etc.)
- Not drying ears properly after swimming
- Aggressive ear cleaning practices
Genetic Factors:
- Family history of frequent ear infections
- Certain ethnic backgrounds (Native American, Hispanic, Alaska Native children have higher rates)
Understanding your risk factors helps our providers tailor prevention strategies and treatment recommendations to your individual situation.
Contents
Medically reviewed by
Giancarlo DiMassa, MD
Written by
ContinuEM Editorial Team
Last Updated
November 17, 2025
Take the Next Step: Visit ContinuEM Urgent Care Today
Don't let abdominal pain disrupt your day or keep you wondering what's wrong. ContinuEM Urgent Care in Lakewood provides expert evaluation and treatment when you need it, with the convenience of walk-in appointments and extended hours.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
8 AM - 11:00 PM
(last check-in at 10:30 PM)
Times may vary
Saturday & Sunday
10 AM - 6 PM
(last check-in at 5:30 PM)
Times may vary
Special Hours
Times may vary
See Holiday HoursHoliday Hours
April 20 – Easter Sunday,
Closed
May 26 – Memorial Day,
10 AM - 6 PM
July 4 – Independence Day,
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October 31 – Halloween,
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November 27 – Thanksgiving Day,
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November 28 – Black Friday,
10 AM - 6 PM
December 24 – Christmas Eve,
8 AM - 6 PM
December 25 – Christmas Day,
Closed
December 31 – New Year's Eve,
8 AM - 6 PM
January 1 – New Year's Day,
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Related Services at ContinuEM
Urgent Care Services
Comprehensive walk-in care for non-life-threatening conditions
Pediatric Services
Expert care for children's abdominal pain and digestive issues
Allergy Treatment
Management of allergic eye reactions and seasonal allergies
Cold & Flu Treatment
Treatment for respiratory infections that can lead to ear infections
Sinus Infection Treatment
Care for sinusitis that can contribute to ear infections
Strep Throat Testing
Rapid testing and treatment for throat infections
FAQs About Ear Infection
Visit ContinuEM Urgent Care if you or your child experiences moderate to severe ear pain, symptoms lasting more than 2-3 days, fever above 102.2°F, drainage from the ear, or hearing loss. Urgent care provides faster access than waiting for a primary care appointment, allowing you to receive a same-day diagnosis and treatment. We can prescribe antibiotics if needed, provide pain relief, and professionally examine your ear with specialized equipment. Waiting too long can lead to complications or unnecessary suffering. When in doubt, call our clinic at (562) 731-3990, and we can help guide your decision.
Most visits at ContinuEM last between 30 minutes and an hour for straightforward cases, though complex evaluations requiring multiple tests may take longer. This is significantly faster than typical emergency room wait times, which often exceed several hours for non-emergent conditions. We prioritize chest pain evaluations to ensure prompt assessment.
Our diagnostic evaluation includes a thorough ear examination using an otoscope (a lighted instrument) to visualize your ear canal and eardrum. We check for redness, swelling, fluid behind the eardrum, and signs of infection. For middle ear infections, we may use a pneumatic otoscope to assess eardrum movement or perform tympanometry to measure middle ear pressure and function. We’ll also check your temperature and assess your overall symptoms. If there’s drainage, we may culture it to identify specific bacteria or fungi, especially if the infection isn’t responding to initial treatment.
Not all ear infections require antibiotics. Many ear infections, especially those caused by viruses, resolve on their own within a few days. Our providers follow evidence-based guidelines and may recommend “watchful waiting” for 48-72 hours for mild cases in older children and adults, with a focus on pain management during this period. Antibiotics are prescribed for severe infections, high fever, very young children, bilateral infections, symptoms lasting more than 2-3 days, or patients at high risk for complications. Bacterial outer ear infections (swimmer’s ear) typically do require antibiotic ear drops.
No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are always welcome during our extended hours. If you prefer, you can call ahead at (562) 731-3990 to let us know you’re coming, but this is not required.
ContinuEM offers expert diagnosis and treatment of ear infections for children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. Our board-certified providers are experienced in examining pediatric patients and employ gentle techniques to ensure children’s comfort. We can diagnose the infection, prescribe appropriate medications, provide recommendations for pain relief, and determine if a specialist referral is needed for recurrent infections. Walk-ins are welcome, so you don’t need to wait days for a pediatrician appointment when your child is in pain.
Bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medications (including supplements), and any relevant medical records if you have them. If possible, prepare a brief timeline of your symptoms, including when the pain began, what triggers it, and any associated symptoms you’ve noticed.
Most insurance plans cover urgent care visits. ContinuEM accepts both in-network and out-of-network insurance. We charge a $99 upfront service fee, with the remaining balance billed to your insurance. We recommend checking with your insurance provider about your specific coverage and copayment requirements. See Insurance & Payment options for more information.
With appropriate treatment, most ear infections begin improving within 48-72 hours. Complete healing typically takes 1-2 weeks. Outer ear infections (swimmer’s ear) usually clear within 7-10 days with ear drops. Middle ear infections may take longer, with fluid sometimes remaining in the middle ear for several weeks even after the infection clears. If symptoms don’t improve within 2-3 days of starting treatment, or if they worsen, return to ContinuEM or contact your healthcare provider, as you may need a different antibiotic or further evaluation.
Most ear infections cause temporary hearing loss due to fluid buildup behind the eardrum, which resolves once the infection clears and fluid drains. However, chronic or recurring ear infections, especially if untreated, can potentially lead to complications including persistent fluid, eardrum perforation, or damage to middle ear structures, which may cause long-term hearing problems. Severe infections that spread (like mastoiditis) can also cause hearing damage. This is why prompt treatment and follow-up for recurrent infections is important. Children with persistent fluid or frequent infections may need specialist evaluation and ear tube placement to prevent hearing and speech development issues.
Recurrent ear infections in children are common due to several factors: anatomically smaller and more horizontal eustachian tubes that don’t drain efficiently, developing immune systems, frequent exposure to other sick children in daycare or school, enlarged adenoids blocking tube drainage, and allergies. Children typically outgrow frequent ear infections as their eustachian tubes mature and enlarge around age 5-7. If your child has three or more infections in six months or four in one year, we can refer you to an ENT specialist who may recommend preventive strategies or ear tube placement to reduce infection frequency and prevent complications.
Medically reviewed by
Giancarlo DiMassa, MD
Written by
ContinuEM Editorial Team
Last Updated
November 17, 2025
ContinuEM Urgent Care is dedicated to delivering exceptional, convenient healthcare to the Lakewood community and its surrounding areas. Our board-certified providers deliver expert care with compassion, transparency, and respect for your time.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for any questions regarding a medical condition. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.