Ear Infections Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Ear Infections
An ear infection (sometimes called acute otitis media) is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Ear Infections
In an ear infection, narrow tubes that run from the middle ear to high in the back of the throat (eustachian tubes) can become swollen and blocked. This can lead to mucus build-up in the middle ear. This mucus can become infected and cause ear infection symptoms.
Because ear infections often clear up on their own, treatment may begin with managing pain and monitoring the problem. Sometimes, antibiotics are used to clear the infection. Some people are prone to having multiple ear infections. This can cause hearing problems and other serious complications.
Symptoms of Ear Infections:
- Ear pain, especially when lying down
- Tugging or pulling at an ear
- Trouble sleeping
- Crying more than usual
- Fussiness
- Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
- Loss of balance
- Fever of 100 F (38 C) or higher
- Drainage of fluid from the ear
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Treatments
Often, a virus causes an ear infection, in which case antibiotics won’t help. If, based on the history, your doctor suspects that bacteria may have caused the infection, she may prescribe an antibiotic.
You may also talk to your doctor about things you can do at home.
Pain Relief:
If a virus or bacteria are causing the infection and you have to wait for it to get better, you don’t need to live with the pain.
Your doctor may recommend a pain reliever, typically acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), which also helps reduce a fever. Aspirin should be avoided in children because of the threat of Reye’s syndrome, a rare condition that can cause swelling in the brain or liver.
Pain can also be reduced by using low heat from a heating pad. Be very careful using a heating pad with children.
Antibiotics:
If your doctor decides to go with antibiotics, follow all the instructions. Take all of the doses even if you or your child are feeling better. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you skip a dose or feel sick from the medicine.
If you don’t take the whole course, your infection could come back and become resistant to more treatments.
Drainage
If an infection causes serious complications, fluid remains in the ear for a long time, or your child has ear infections that keep coming back, your doctor might want to do a procedure called a myringotomy.
The tube, which will usually fall out on its own in about 6 to 18 months, lets the fluid out and air flow through to keep the middle ear dry. Tubes also:
- Reduce pain
- Improve hearing
- Cut down on the number of infections your child may have
When younger children get these ear tubes, it’s surgery. They will need to go to the hospital and take something to sleep during the procedure, which usually lasts about 15 minutes.
Older children and adults can have it done while they’re awake. For them, it can be done in their doctor’s office.
This surgery rarely leads to infection or scarring and usually prevents long-term symptoms. If the tubes come out and the infections return, talk to your doctor about more treatments.
Doctors generally don’t consider the removal of tonsils helpful for ear infections.
Natural Remedies
You can do things at home to ease your symptoms. Talk to your doctor first about these tips:
Warmth: You may find a heated compress brings comfort.
Feedings: If you feed your baby with a bottle, do it standing up. Don’t put your infant to bed with one. Try to take your child off it as soon as the doctor thinks he’s ready.
Gargling: In older children or adults, salt water helps soothe a raw throat and may help clear the Eustachian tubes.
Stand tall: Holding your head erect can help drain your middle ear.
Fresh air: Smokers should refrain from smoking inside the house or anywhere near your child.
Risk factors
Risk factors for ear infections include:
- Age: Children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years are more susceptible to ear infections because of the size and shape of their eustachian tubes and because their immune systems are still developing.
- Group child care: Children cared for in group settings are more likely to get colds and ear infections than are children who stay home. The children in group settings are exposed to more infections, such as the common cold.
- Infant feeding: Babies who drink from a bottle, especially while lying down, tend to have more ear infections than do babies who are breast-fed.
- Seasonal factors: Ear infections are most common during the fall and winter. People with seasonal allergies may have a greater risk of ear infections when pollen counts are high.
- Poor air quality: Exposure to tobacco smoke or high levels of air pollution can increase the risk of ear infections.
- Alaska Native heritage: Ear infections are more common among Alaska Natives.
- Cleft palate: Differences in the bone structure and muscles in children who have cleft palates may make it more difficult for the eustachian tube to drain.
When to see a doctor
Signs and symptoms of an ear infection can indicate several conditions. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. Call your child’s doctor if:
- Symptoms last for more than a day
- Symptoms are present in a child less than 6 months of age
- Ear pain is severe
- Your infant or toddler is sleepless or irritable after a cold or other upper respiratory infection
- You observe a discharge of fluid, pus or bloody fluid from the ear
Frequently Asked Question on Ear Infections
An ear infection, also known as otitis media, is an inflammation of the middle ear, typically caused by bacteria or viruses.
The infections themselves are not contagious, but the viruses or bacteria that may lead to ear infections can be.
Children, particularly those between 6 months and 2 years old, are more prone to ear infections due to their developing immune systems and smaller Eustachian tubes.
Some preventive measures include practicing good hygiene, avoiding secondhand smoke, breastfeeding infants, and ensuring up-to-date vaccinations.
Complications can include chronic ear infections, hearing loss, and, rarely, the spread of infection to nearby structures.
Recurring ear infections may require further evaluation and management, including consultation with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.