Infections in the ear can be caused by bacteria, moisture, a virus or fluid buildup. Essentially, an outside ear disease may spread profound into the skin or adjacent bone. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat ear infections. After an initial observation period, your doctor may recommend antibiotic treatment for an ear infection in the following situations: Children 6 months and older with moderate to severe ear pain in one or both ears for at least … The way a person becomes infected will often determine the kind of infection they get. Although otitis media is primarily a disease of infants and young children, it can also affect adults. Situations in which antibiotics are suggested include: Development of complications; Severe infection; Tested Home Remedies for Ear Infections in Adults 1. Viruses or bacteria can cause inner ear infections. In patients who have severe allergy to penicillin-type drugs, doxycycline is a reasonable alternative. Antibiotics are not needed for acute viral sinusitis. As a side-effect, antibiotics are known to cause diarrhea and rashes. Antibiotics are prescribed for some types of bacterial ear infections in adults. Salt Compress. Mastoiditis is infections of the bones behind the ear. Read about treatments and remedies. For bacterial infections antibiotics work very well and usually start to provide relief within a day. Salt can be one of the easily available home remedies for the ear infections. Antibiotics. This is performed with a myringotomy , in which the surgeon creates a small hole in the eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear. This helps adjust the air pressure in your ear. If ear infections become a recurring problem, the doctor may want to put tubes in the ears. A middle-ear infection may be treated with: Antibiotics, taken by mouth or as ear drops Medication for pain Decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal steroids Your health care provider may also have you try autoinsufflation. About 75% of children experience at least one episode of ear infection by age of 3 years. An ear infection that has spread can likewise prompt a pocket of disease, known as a canker. Ear infections in adults are typically caused by germs, such as viruses, a fungus, or bacteria. Acute otitis media is a short-term ear infection with sudden onset of signs and symptoms of middle-ear effusion and inflammation. Most ear infections are painful and cause a temporary loss of hearing in the affected ear. How is a middle-ear infection in adults treated? Amoxicillin is the most common antibiotic used to treat ear infections. Inner ear infections (otitis interna) cause inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinthitis), producing symptoms and signs like severe ear pain, nausea, vomiting, and vertigo. If there is a possibility to treat with antibiotics go for it. Antibiotic therapy. When using antibiotics for ear infections, remember to take each dose on schedule. Here are some of the antibiotics doctors prescribe to treat an ear infection: Amoxil (amoxicillin) Augmentin (amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate) Cortisporin (neomycin/polymxcin b/hydrocortisone) solution or suspension Since different types of ear infections require different treatment, your doctor will do a careful examination and obtain your health history before deciding how best to treat your ear infection. Precautions. If the infection is bacterial (rather than viral) you may receive a prescription for an oral or topical antibiotic. If a secondary bacterial infection should develop, one treatment of choice is amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin). The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight the ear infection. Most antibiotics for ear infections fall under four families: penicillins, cephalosporins, sulfonamides, and erythromycins.