During the toddler years, it might seem that your child is experiencing several middle ear infections or otitis media. According to the National Institute for Deafness and Communication Disorders, three-quarters of children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. Although ear infections are not always the cause of earaches, they are common for young children so it's important to have your toddler's ear problem diagnosed to reduce the risk of avoidable problems, such as hearing loss.
Cause
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, middle ear infections are the most common bacterial illness for young children and they occur when the eustachian tube becomes blocked, causing trapped fluid. The trapped fluid normally causes an infection because the environment is suitable for germs to grow, according to "The Baby Book."
Young children are more prone to middle ear infections because the eustachian tube, a small tube that connects the middle ear and throat, is shorter for children than in adults. Germs can also access the ear easier because the eustachian tube is even with the throat during early childhood. As adults, germs need to travel upward in the tube, making it more difficult to reach the middle ear.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of an ear infection include sleeplessness, the refusal to lie down flat, ear drainage, a fever, increased irritability and cold-like symptoms. In some cases, children will pull on their ears, however that can also indicate teething or just playing with the ears. A doctor will use an otoscope to view the internal ear. If the eardrum bulges, and the ear is red and inflamed, the doctor will diagnose your toddler with an ear infection and begin appropriate treatment.
If the ear does not have symptoms of a middle ear infection, a doctor might consider swimmer's ear, which happens when bacteria gets in the ear canal, often after prolonged exposure to moisture.
A doctor can also find the ear problem is from a ruptured ear drum or sinusitis.
Treatment
If the pediatrician determines your child has a middle ear infection, according to "The Baby Book," your child will be prescribed a minimum 10-day antibiotic such as amoxicillin. If ear infections are reoccurring, your child's pediatrician might prescribe a long-term antibiotic given in a low dose over six months.
In worst case situations, according to "Human Anatomy and Physiology," your toddler might need a myringotomy, which is the insertion of tubes into the eardrum to relieve pressure and allow pus to drain from the middle ear to the external ear. These tubes fall out within a year.
If your toddler has swimmer's ear, it can often be treated without antibiotics, unless the infection is severe. In most cases, a doctor will prescribe ear drops.
Prevention
According to the National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, vaccinate your child with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the flu vaccine because it will protect against the most common bacteria that cause ear problems. Ensure your toddler is frequently washing his hands to prevent becoming sick.
Some other ways to prevent ear infections are by breast-feeding as long as possible, controlling allergens and not allowing smoking around your toddler. Having your child wear ear plugs while swimming can decrease his risk of swimmer's ear.
Relief
Acemetaphine or ibuprofen are effective in reducing the pain associated with ear infections. Prop your toddler up while he is sleeping to reduce the discomfort at night and use a heating pad on the ear.
According to "The Baby Book," place cooking oil in a small glass and then warm the oil by setting the glass into a bowl of warm water. Once the oil is warm, place a few drops into the ear and massage the ear to move the oil down the ear drum. This will help relieve the discomfort of an ear infection.
References
- "Human Anatomy & Physiology: Eight Edition; Elaine Marieb & Katja Hoehn; 2010
- National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Ear Infections in Children
- "The Baby Book"; William Sears, M.D. & Martha Sears, R.N.; 1993
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Your Child and Ear Infections
