1. Cure Ear Infections
Both middle and inner-ear infections must be fully treated to prevent recurring petrositis. Take medications as directed by your doctor and continue to use the full dosage even if the pain has stopped. Infections can linger in the body even after most symptoms have cleared up, so stopping the antibiotics too early can cause them to return in full force.
2. Drain Fluids and Treat Petrositis
A physician or ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist can drain out fluids caused by petrositis. The infection can then be treated with penicillin or another antibiotic. Pay attention to side effects from the drugs, which can include hives and various skin rashes as well as bodily swelling. Once the treatment is over, you should return to the doctor so that an analysis can be done to be sure that the infection is completely gone.
3. Surgical Options for Recurring Petrositis
Chronic petrositis can damage the bones in the inner ear and result in both hearing loss and brain damage. While repeat episodes can be treated with additional antibiotics, sometimes surgery is the best option. If other techniques aren't successful, a mastoidectomy may be needed to remove part of the bone behind the ear to allow for fluids to drain. Other surgical options exist to treat petrositis, although they include a risk of some degree of hearing loss. Luckily, light surgery and antibiotic treatments have a high rate of success even when treating chronic infections.
4. Examine Ear Problems Quickly
New bouts of petrositis can often be prevented by getting treatments for other ear infections as soon as possible. A doctor should be seen within 1 to 2 days of lingering ear pain, especially if it includes pressure behind the eyes.
