Children below 5 years of age are prone to get middle ear infections and it is usually followed by a cold. If your little one is getting fussy or is crying and throwing tantrums while tugging their ear, more than usual, there are high chances he’s got an ear infection. Otitis Media, commonly called an ear infection, is a painful inflammation of the middle ear. It usually occurs between the eardrum and the eustachian tube, connecting the ears, nose, and throat. It usually occurs due to bacteria or viruses.
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Children are more likely to get ear infections compared to adults as their immune system is not as developed yet, making it harder for their bodies to fight off bacteria. Their eustachian tubes are smaller and not fully developed yet, making it difficult for the fluid to drain out of the ear.
Symptoms of ear infection:
Children may complain of earache, whereas the younger ones may not be able to communicate what they’re going through well. Here are a few symptoms children may show for a possible ear infection:
How to prevent ear infection:
There are some steps you can take to prevent your child from getting ear infections to minimize the risk, such as:
Home remedies for ear infection:
To help ease the pain for your child’s earache, follow the following home remedies:
If the pain is too intense, it is better to visit your doctor and do a general check-up. If need be, your doctor may prescribe some medications and your child should start feeling better within a few days. In some cases, once the infection clears, the fluid may continue to remain in the middle ear and may disappear only after four to five weeks. Take the steps mentioned to prevent your child from getting any ear infection.
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To ease an earache, elevate your child’s head and place a warm compress over the ear. If you have a doctor's prescription, you can use ear drops for pain. If pain is severe, it is best to visit a doctor for a checkup.
The primary cause of ear infection in children less than five years of age is viral or bacterial infection. The most common ear infection is called Otitis Media, which is a painful inflammation of the middle ear. This ear infection occurs between the eustachian tube and the eardrum, connecting the nose, ear and throat and is typically followed by a cold.
Most ear infections are minor and temporary, and children are more likely to be infected compared to adults, as their immune system is not strong enough to fight off bacteria. Additionally, their eustachian tubes are not fully developed and are small, making it difficult to drain fluid from the ear. However, if the child has repeated infections, it may lead to complications.
Keep vaccinations current, practice good hand hygiene, avoid secondhand smoke, and breastfeed infants when possible. Hold babies upright during feeding, manage allergies effectively, limit pacifier use after 6 months, and treat cold symptoms early to prevent complications that can lead to ear infections.
