Has your little one suddenly started crying in the middle of the night? Does he/she not go to sleep no matter how much you rock him/her? Or are you suffering from an unbearable earache? This situation is probably familiar to many people, especially parents of young children. The main cause of ear pain in this way is an ear infection. So, let's talk about this in a little more detail today.
What is this ear infection?
When we talk about an ear infection, we medically call it `(Acute Otitis Media)`. Simply put, this is an infection that occurs in our middle ear. Now let's see how this happens.
There is a small tube-like part between our nose, throat, and ear. This is what controls the pressure inside the ear and removes unnecessary secretions from inside the ear. When we have something like a cold or a fever, this tube swells. Then, a liquid starts to accumulate in place of the air inside the ear.
Imagine, what happens here is like a water pipe getting clogged with trash and water accumulating.
This fluid accumulates and bacteria or viruses begin to grow inside it. That's when infection sets in, the pressure inside the ear increases, and we start to experience unbearable pain. In young children, this tube is very short and lies horizontally. Therefore, they are more likely to develop this condition.
What are the main symptoms of an ear infection?
The symptoms of an ear infection usually appear suddenly. There may be slight differences between young children and adults.
| Common symptoms among young children | |
|---|---|
| Symptom | Description |
| Ear pain | The pain may be worse, especially when lying down. If the child is unable to speak or keeps touching his ear, it may be due to pain. |
| Sleep difficulties | I often wake up at night and cry because of the pain. |
| Frequent crying and irritability | If the child is more restless than usual or cries frequently, it may be due to pain. |
| Fever | There may be a fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) or higher. |
| Fluid draining from the ear | A yellow or brown pus-like fluid may come out of the ear. |
| Hearing impairment | If your child doesn't respond to what you say, it may be because they have poor hearing. |
| Loss of body balance | Because there are parts of the ear that are related to balance, an infection can cause loss of balance and dizziness. |
| Common symptoms among adults | |
| Adults can also experience similar symptoms. The main symptoms are ear pain, ear discharge, and hearing loss . | |
What can you do at home to reduce pain?
Most ear infections heal on their own within a few days. But since the pain can be unbearable, there are a few things we can do at home to help manage the pain.
Relieve the pain.
- Hot or cold compresses: Soak a clean cloth in hot or ice water, wring it out well, and place it over the painful ear. Remember, the cloth should not be too hot or too cold. Try alternating between the two to see which method provides the most relief for you/your child.
- Painkillers: You can use a painkiller like `(Acetaminophen)` (Paracetamol) or `(Ibuprofen)` on the advice of your doctor. But this is very important: Never give any medicine without asking a doctor, especially to a small child. Only a doctor knows the correct dosage to give based on the child's age and weight.
- Sleeping position: When you lie down, use two or three pillows instead of one and sleep with your head slightly elevated. This will help the fluid inside the ear drain, reduce pressure, and relieve pain.
- Xylitol: Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar found in fruits and vegetables. It is also found in some chewing gums and lozenges. Studies have shown that it may help prevent ear infections in children.
How to prevent infections?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So there are a few things we can do to reduce the risk of ear infections.
- Preventing colds and flu: Wash your hands often. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow. Get your and your child's age-appropriate vaccines, especially the flu vaccine, at the same time. Talk to your doctor about this.
- Avoid cigarette smoke: Exposure to cigarette smoke (second-hand smoke) is a major cause of ear infections in children. Avoid smoking around your child completely.
- Breastfeeding position: Breastfeeding boosts your baby's immunity and protects them from infections. If you are bottle-feeding, don't feed your baby lying down. Feed your baby in a slightly sitting position with their head up.
- Vitamin D and Probiotics: Vitamin D and probiotics, which are found in foods like yogurt, boost the body's immune system. Further research is being conducted to see if these can help prevent ear infections.
When should we definitely see a doctor?
Even with home treatment, there are some situations where we should definitely seek medical advice. Keep these situations in mind.
If your child is younger than 6 months and shows signs of an ear infection, see a doctor immediately without delay. Children this age are more likely to develop complications from infections.
In addition, see a doctor in the following cases:
- If symptoms last more than a day .
- If the ear pain is very severe .
- If there is a fluid like blood or pus draining from the ear.
When you see your doctor, he or she can prescribe necessary treatment, such as antibiotics, depending on the cause of the infection.
If left untreated, a severe infection can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss . The infection can also spread to important organs around the ear, such as the brain, causing dangerous complications. So don't take these symptoms lightly.
Take-Home Message
- Ear infections are a common condition, especially among young children. They are often caused by conditions such as the common cold.
- Pain relief can be achieved with hot/cold applications and painkillers taken as prescribed by a doctor.
- If the child is under 6 months old, the pain is severe, the symptoms last more than a day, or there is any fluid draining from the ear, see a doctor immediately.
- Infections can be prevented by things like frequent hand washing, avoiding cigarette smoke, and correct breastfeeding positions.
- Never ignore an ear infection. If not treated properly, it can lead to serious complications.
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