If you are a caregiver for a young child, you probably know how often they get earaches. This can happen to adults too, but it is more common in young children. This is because their little bodies are not yet able to fight off viruses and bacteria as well as adults, and their ears are not designed to drain fluid properly. Along with an earache, your child may also have symptoms such as a fever, sore throat, and runny nose . These could be signs of an ear infection.
How do you test this, doctor?
When you take your child to the doctor, he or she will first ask you about the symptoms. So, it's a good idea to write down on a piece of paper what you want to remember and what questions you want to ask.
The doctor will then look inside the baby's ear with an instrument called an otoscope and examine the eardrum. This is a device that looks like a small torch. The doctor knows that it can be a bit difficult to look into the ears of a small baby who is constantly crying and struggling. Therefore, he will definitely need your help to keep the baby calm during this time.
What is the doctor looking for?
- Is the eardrum red? - If there is an infection, the eardrum may be red.
- Is there fluid behind the eardrum? - Sometimes fluid can build up behind the eardrum, in the middle ear, causing the eardrum to swell and bulge outward. This fluid can be thin like water or thick like pus. This middle ear infection is medically known as (Otitis Media) .
Simply put, Otitis Media is an inflammation or infection of the middle ear. This is the main cause of earaches in young children.
The doctor may also use a small instrument called an otoscope to blow air into the ear to check if the eardrum is moving properly. When the middle ear is filled with fluid, the eardrum doesn't move as easily, and it's a little stiff.
In some cases, another device called a tympanometer can be used to confirm whether there is fluid in the middle ear, using sound waves and air pressure.
What are the treatments for ear infections?
Okay, now let's see what can be done about this. There are several treatments.
1. Antibiotics
Most ear infections are caused by a virus. In such cases, antibiotics will not help. Antibiotics can only kill bacteria.
However, if the doctor thinks that this may be a bacterial infection based on your child's symptoms and examination, he will prescribe antibiotics.
Very important: If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, you should take them for the exact number of days and in the exact dosage prescribed. Do not stop taking the medicine just because your child feels better. If you do, the infection may come back and the bacteria may become resistant to the medicine you give them next time (Antibiotic Resistance).
2. Pain relief
The pain of an ear infection can be unbearable, so it's important to control the pain.
- Painkillers: The doctor will usually prescribe a painkiller like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. These will control pain as well as fever.
- Warning: Never give aspirin to infants and young children, as it can cause a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome, which can damage the liver and brain.
- Warm compresses: Applying a warm compress to the ear may provide some relief from the pain. However, be very careful not to burn children when using this .
3. Surgery to remove fluid from the ear (Myringotomy)
Some children have persistent ear infections, or fluid in the middle ear has not cleared up for a long time. In these cases, your doctor may recommend a minor surgery called a myringotomy .
This involves making a very small hole in the eardrum to allow fluid and pus to drain out of the middle ear. Often, a small tube (ear tube or grommet) is inserted to prevent this hole from closing again.
This tube usually falls out on its own after about 6 to 18 months. During this time,
- Fluid accumulation in the middle ear stops.
- Air has entered the ear, and the middle ear is dry.
- The pain is decreasing.
- Hearing improved.
- Recurrence of infections is greatly reduced.
This surgery is performed on young children while they are unconscious and in a hospital. It takes about 15 minutes. For adults, it can be done right in the doctor's office. Complications from this surgery are very rare.
Treatments you can do at home
In addition to the treatments your doctor gives you, there are some simple things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms. Talk to your doctor before doing these.
| What can be done? | The benefit of it |
|---|---|
| Hot frying | Applying a warm compress to the area around the ear can help relieve the pain. |
| Breastfeeding position | If you are bottle-feeding, feed your baby while sitting or holding him upright rather than lying down. Don't put him to sleep with the bottle in his mouth. |
| Gargling with salt water | For older children and adults, gargling with lukewarm salt water can help relieve a sore throat and can also help clear the Eustachian tubes. |
| Keeping the head straight | Keeping your head upright makes it easier for fluid to drain from the middle ear. |
| Avoiding tobacco smoke | If there are people who smoke, avoid smoking indoors, especially around your child. Tobacco smoke can make ear infections worse. |
Take-Home Message
- Earaches are very common in young children. If you have an earache along with symptoms like fever and stuffy nose, you should definitely see a doctor.
- Not all ear infections require antibiotics. Let your doctor decide.
- If the doctor prescribes antibiotics, give them exactly the full course. Don't stop halfway through.
- Use painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to control the pain. Never give aspirin to children.
- Remember that if you have recurring infections or if the fluid in the middle ear is not healing, there is a special treatment (Myringotomy) for that.
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