A ruptured eardrum is a tear in the eardrum, the thin tissue that separates the ear canal from the inner ear. Children suffering from a ruptured eardrum typically experience discomfort, but fortunately most ruptured eardrums heal on their own without lasting damage.
Causes
A ruptured eardrum is usually the result of trauma or infection, according to MayoClinic.com. If your child is suffering from a middle ear infection, fluid buildup behind the eardrum can exert sufficient pressure to perforate the eardrum. Possible trauma-related causes include sudden changes in air pressure, loud noises, head trauma or poking the eardrum with a foreign object, such as a bobby pin.
Symptoms and Complications
According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, a child with a ruptured eardrum experiences sudden ear pain, hearing loss and a sensation of noise in the ear. In some cases, pus or blood may drain out of the ear. Ruptured eardrums can lead to complications such as permanent hearing loss or an infection in the middle ear or bone behind the ear.
Treatment
Most ruptured eardrums heal on their own within two months, explains the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Your child may receive antibiotics if an infection is present. In some cases, your doctor may apply a patch to the eardrum to help the eardrum heal. If your child's eardrum does not heal within two months, he may require a surgical procedure called a tympanoplasty to repair the eardrum.
Home Care
According to MedlinePlus, it's important to keep your child's ear clean and dry during the healing process. Your child should avoid swimming or any other activities that immerse the ear in water. Put cotton balls in your child's ear when she showers. If the ruptured eardrum is painful, you can give your child pain relieving medication or place something warm over the ear.
Prevention
To prevent your child from suffering a ruptured eardrum, MayoClinic.com advises that you watch your child closely for signs of an ear infection. Common symptoms include fever, reduced hearing, ear pain and pulling on the ears. Take your child to the doctor if you suspect an ear infection. To reduce the risk of pressure-related ear damage, help keep your children's ears clear while flying by giving them gum to chew, telling them to yawn or equipping them with pressure-equalizing earplugs. It's also important to explain that children should never stick objects into their ears.
