Infectious myringitis

Infectious myringitis is caused by the same viruses or bacteria that cause middle ear infections. The most common of these is mycoplasma. It is often found along with the common cold or other similar infections. It may also cause pneumonia.

The condition is most often seen in children, but it may also occur in adults. 

The main symptom is pain that lasts for 24 to 48 hours. Other symptoms include:

• Draining from the ear
• Pressure in the affected ear
• Hearing loss in the painful ear

Rarely, the hearing loss will continue after the infection has cleared.

The health care provider will do an exam of your ear to look for blisters on the ear drum.

Infectious myringitis is usually treated with antibiotics. These may be given by mouth or as drops in the ear. If the pain is severe, small cuts may be made in the blisters so they can drain. Pain-killing medicines may be prescribed, as well.

Bullous myringitis

Haddad J. External otitis (otitis externa). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 679.

Quimby AE, Ruckenstein MJ. Infections of the external ear. In: Francis HW, Haughey BH, Hillel AT, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 137.

Schulhof NC, Leaf HL. Mycoplasmoides (Mycoplasma) pneumoniae. In: Blaser MJ, Cohen JI, Holland SM, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 189.

Updated by: Ashutosh Kacker, MD, FACS, Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Attending Otolaryngologist, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.