Nasal drainage often accompanies ear infections in infants, since most ear infections are caused by the common cold. This can leave your baby miserable on multiple fronts. Always consult with your baby’s pediatrician for a proper diagnosis and treatment of the symptoms causing the discomfort.
Identification
As a common cold progresses, the nasal drainage thickens and turns a greenish-yellow color. A cough is present, as well as congestion, sneezing, watery eyes and a fever. Infants often are sicker than adults with the common cold. Nasal discharge that worsens and lasts more than 10 days is a sinus infection, also know as sinusitis. Other symptoms can include pain around the eyes, pressure in the head and a fever. Your infant may pull on his ears with an ear infection because of ear pain and fullness. Your infant may have an overall feeling of malaise and vomit, have diarrhea or temporary hearing loss.
Cause
The Eustachian tube is responsible for draining fluids from the middle ear to the back of the throat, but, if this tube gets blocked and traps fluid behind the middle ear, it causes an ear infection. The shortness of your infant’s Eustachian tube makes him prone to ear infections. A common cold usually is caused by a rhinovirus that is contagious and transferred person to person by airborne droplets after an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks. These droplets also can spread by contaminating frequently touched objects and surfaces. Ear infections are a common complication of the common cold since excess mucus blocks the Eustachian tube and prevents drainage of fluids. The common cold also causes sinus infections, since excess mucus blocks the sinuses, which causes inflammation. The runny nose after your infant’s ear infections is likely caused by the common cold or a sinus infection since these conditions last longer than most ear infections.
Treatment
Antibiotics are ineffective for the common cold. If a sinus infection is caused by bacteria overgrowth in the sinuses, this can be treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics cannot treat sinus infections due to inflammation from a common cold. For infants younger than 6 months, doctors give antibiotics for ear infections, but doctors often prefer to wait 48 to 72 hours to see if symptoms disappear without antibiotics to prevent resistance to antibiotics in the future. Treat discomfort from an ear infection with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. A warm wash cloth can relieve discomfort from an ear infection. Use a salt-based saline nasal spray to moisturize your baby’s nasal passages and remove excess mucus with a rubber bulb syringe.
Prevention
Preventing colds is the best way to prevent sinus and ear infections in your infant. Wash your hands frequently, especially before handling your baby. Do not allow others to hold your infant without washing their hands first. Keep your baby away from people who appear sick. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces with diluted bleach. Do not allow anyone to smoke around your baby since secondhand smoke reduces the effectiveness of your infant’s developing immune system. Keep a humidifier in your baby’s room to moisturize the air and reduce inflammation of the sinuses from indoor heaters.
