Five out of every six children under the age of three will have an ear infection at some point. The good news is that most ear infections clear on their own, and if they don’t, they’re easy to treat. The bad news is that certain ear infections may permanently damage a child’s hearing. Children are more susceptible to ear infections than adults for a number of reasons, including:
- They are more susceptible to illness because their immune systems are not fully formed.
- Ear fluid drainage is hampered by narrower, flatter eustachian tubes.
Hearing loss, a high temperature, and extreme discomfort are all symptoms of an ear infection that parents should be on the lookout for. Vaccination, hand cleaning, and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke are all effective ways to lessen the likelihood of getting an ear infection. The most common reasons why kids have ear infections are discussed here.
Main causes of ear infections in children
| Cause | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Common cold | 25-50% |
| Allergies | 15-30% |
| Exposure to smoke | 12-20% |
| Use of pacifier | 7-16% |
| Swimming | 5-10% |
| Bottle feeding or lying down during feeding | 5-10% |
| Previous ear infection | 5-10% |
| Sinus infections | 1-2% |
| Enlarged adenoids | 1-2% |
There are a number of causes behind the frequency with which kids get ear infections. Since their eustachian tubes, which carry fluids from the middle ear to the back of the throat, are so narrow and horizontal, they often get infections. Since their immune systems are still maturing, children are also more susceptible to contracting diseases. Common reasons why kids have ear infections are:
- A buildup of mucus in the middle ear caused by eustachian tube swelling and blockage.
- Congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat, and eustachian tubes caused by bacteria or viruses, usually as a secondary effect of a cold, flu, or allergies
- Inadequate nasal drainage leads to a buildup of fluid behind the eardrum.
- Exposure to contagious respiratory diseases at school or childcare due to improper hand hygiene.
Signs and Symptoms
Young children, especially those between the ages of six months and three years, often suffer from ear infections. Understanding the symptoms of an ear infection is essential for detecting it early and getting effective treatment. Some of the most important signs to keep an eye out for are:
- A tugging or pulling motion toward the ear(s)
- High body temperature, particularly in young children
- Having trouble hearing or reacting to soft sounds
Acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and chronic otitis media with effusion are the three most common forms of ear infection (COME). There are a variety of symptoms that might be present, and it’s possible that your kid has more than one. In most cases, ear infections follow a cold or other respiratory illness. Ear infections are more likely to occur in children and people of certain ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
How to diagnose
For effective treatment and to avoid consequences, a correct diagnosis of ear infections in children is essential. During a routine physical examination performed by a medical expert, the following may be checked:
- Looking for redness or swelling in the outer ear as indicators of infection.
- Checking for fluid, pus, or inflammation within the ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope
- Given that an ear infection can have an impact on hearing and equilibrium, it’s important to check these out in the child.
Tympanometry is a test that measures the mobility of the eardrum, and a doctor may use it in conjunction with other diagnostic tools like hearing tests and throat swabs.
Prompt treatment when an ear infection has been discovered may aid in a speedy recovery and the avoidance of consequences. In the next part, we’ll go through the numerous approaches to treating children’s ear infections so that you can choose the best one for your kid.
Treatment Options for Ear Infections in Children
By the time they’re three years old, half of all kids will have had at least one ear infection. Otitis media (OM) is the name given to bacterial infections of the middle ear that result from fluid accumulation there. Acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and chronic otitis media with effusion are the three most common forms of ear infection (COME).
Antibiotics like amoxicillin or over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are options for treating ear infections in children, depending on the severity of the infection. Even if your child’s symptoms improve, it is still important for him or her to take the medication as prescribed for the whole prescribed duration. Your doctor may prescribe ear tube surgery if your child suffers from recurrent ear infections or hearing loss caused by fluid accumulation. Applying a cool or warm compress to the ear might help relieve pain, and distracting yourself with low-impact hobbies can help as well.
Prevention
Ear infection prevention in children is essential for their overall health and well-being. The following are some precautions parents may take to help prevent ear infections:
- Studies have shown that children who are fully immunized are less likely to get ear infections. The flu vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccine both reduce the risk of ear infections.
- Stress the need to wash one’s hands often and remind people to do so after using the restroom, before and after eating, and after a bout of coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. As a result, ear infection-causing microorganisms are less likely to spread.
- Feed your baby breast milk because it includes antibodies that help prevent disease, especially ear infections.
- Keep in mind that factors like age, genetics, frequent colds, allergies, chronic diseases, and even ethnicity can affect the likelihood of getting ear infections.
