I had a nasty ear infection last week (complete with swollen cheek, pain radiating into my jaw etc). On advice from doctor over the phone, did nothing other than taking pain killers for a couple of days, and making sure the inner ear didn't get wet. The infection itself ie the pain and swelling- cleared up in a few days, and I have been pain free since Saturday. But still now, 5 days later, my right ear is clogged- like when your ear doesn't pop after flying in a plane. While the infection was going on, the ear would pop on and off- sometimes every time I opened my jaw. But in the last 5 days, it doesn't pop at all, it is just clogged. Of course I am not rooting around in there, but it does not feel as if there is anything in there (object, puss or similar), it is just "shut close" and my hearing on that side is bad, as if underwater.

I am getting a bit worried this will be an ongoing situation, or is it normal for ear infections to take a long time to clear up fully?

I have had a plethora of ear infections over the years. Some hurt like hot pokers being jabbed into the ear, others were just a "stuffed head" feeling. My Autistic son calls his "cobwebs" in there.

My advice is to get your little butt to the doctor and get it checked out in person. This COULD be a pretty bad infection with fluid behind the drum.

I had that many times and I ended up on the "big guns" of antibiotics.. Vanco 1000mg twice a day for 10 days. It ended up giving me diarrhea for a month AND a raging yeast infection, well.. DOWN THERE... but it did clear up a very risky ear infection.

'Nuff sed.

Although I am not plagued with this, BOTH of my daughters have an issue with dry ear wax.

When they were growing up, every pediatric visit included "ear cleaning"...to get the dry wax out.

Both of them STILL, as adults, have to get their ears cleaned out on a regular basis. Could something like this be part of your problem maybe?

Another example I see here on antibiotics causing yeast infection. Really drugs should be avoided unless absolutely needed. Certainly should not be used as quick fix to get rid of symptoms.

I totally concur about not jumping the gun on using meds, however, she is continuing to complain of symptoms that COULD be an exacerbation of infection that MAY need more aggressive intervention. That is why I suggested an actual physician exam.

If you do not mind hearing aides later down the road, then please don't bother seeing a doctor today.

Scar tissue, caused by infections, can lead to hearing loss. Its not fun, hearing aides are large expenses that are annoying - that is the kind and gentle word compared to what I really say about mine.

Ear infections can be mild and chronic - meaning your body can beat them down most of the way, but you still have infection breeding and doing its thing. Flare-ups take place when your immune system is tired - lack of sleep, poor diet, stress, a cold and pow your ear is on fire again.

Pain, stuffiness, pressure, the 'down the tunnel' sound all of this are indicative of liquid (puss) in or behind the eardrum, or even deeper in the ear canal.

Any infection on the outside of the ear drum may be treated with drops. Any on the other side must be treated with an antibiotic.

If you are not prone to ear infections/sinus conditions/allergies then wait about 14 days (from the onset of the initial symptoms of the infection) and see if things are getting better. If you still have symptoms then see a doctor. A mild antibiotic may be all you need to finish killing off the infection. However if you have the full blown ear infection symptoms (as you described) for more than 7 days then you need to see a doctor to get on the uber-antibiotics.

If you are prone to ear infections/sinus infections/allergies then you need to see a doctor as soon as an ear infection starts.