Patient Education Library

Dizziness is a sensation of light-headedness or feeling faint

Child drinks less than normal amounts of fluid during an illness

The skin is dry and rough

Ear Congestion is a stuffy or plugged up feeling in the ear. Crackling or popping noise in the ear. Hearing is often muffled

An infection or irritation of the skin that lines the ear canal. Caused by lots of swimming or using cotton swabs.The medical name is otitis external.

A young child who touches, pulls, tugs, or pokes at the ear. No crying or report of ear pain

A child who itches the ear canal. No crying or report of ear pain.

The buildup of fluid in the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum). The space is normally filled with air. The presence of fluid dampens the hearing.

A bacterial infection of the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum).

The eardrum has ruptured and cloudy fluid drains from the ear canal. Caused by a bacterial infection of the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum).

A viral infection of the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum).

Advice about how to prevent recurrent ear infections.

There are 2 common types of ear infections: otitis media (middle ear infection) and otitis externa (swimmer’s ear). Most ear infections of young children occur in the middle ear.

Injuries to the outer ear, ear canal or eardrum.

Minor pierced ear infection. More than 6 weeks since ear was pierced. Initial healing went well. New symptoms are localized redness, swelling and crusting just at earring site. Spreading redness is more serious and needs to be seen.

Minor pierced ear infection. Less than 6 weeks since ear was pierced. Symptoms are localized redness, swelling and crusting just at earring site. Spreading redness is more serious and needs to be seen