Allergies Respiratory infections such as colds and sinus infections Infection or trouble with the adenoids (lymph tissue in your upper throat area) Tobacco smoke Excess mucus or saliva, such as that produced during teething Living in a cold climate Changes in altitude or climate Not being breastfed as an infant Recent illness Attending daycare, especially a larger daycare with many children
Ear pain or an earache Feeling of fullness in the ear Feeling ill Vomiting Diarrhea Hearing loss in the infected ear Tinnitus Dizziness Ear drainage Fever, especially in children
Itching in your ear canal Redness inside the ear Discomfort that worsens if you pull or push on your outer ear Ear drainage (begins clear and odorless, may progress to pus) More severe symptoms include: Feeling of fullness or blockage Decreased hearing Severe pain that radiates outward to your face or neck Swelling of neck lymph nodes Fever
Tugging, pulling or scratching the ear Banging the head around Fussiness, irritability, or incessant crying Difficulty sleeping Fever (especially for infants and very young children) Fluid drainage from the ear Clumsiness or balance problems Trouble hearing
Blood or pus in ear drainage (may look white, yellow, green, or pinkish/red) Continued high fever, especially if it is over 102F (39C) Dizziness or vertigo Stiff neck Tinnitus Pain or swelling behind or around the ear Ear pain that lasts more than 48 hours
Do not try home remedies on infants and very young children. Always consult your pediatrician for the most appropriate route of care.
A visual examination of the eardrum using an otoscope. It may be difficult to get your child to sit still for this exam, but it’s an important test to determine if the child has an ear infection. An examination of any blockage or filling of the middle ear using a pneumatic otoscope, which will blow a little air at the eardrum. The air will cause the eardrum to move back and forth. If fluid is present, the eardrum will not move as easily or readily, which indicates a likely ear infection. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source An examination with a tympanometer, which uses sound and air pressure to check for any fluid in the middle ear. If the infection is chronic or a severe case, an audiologist may perform a hearing test to determine if there is any hearing loss.
Children 6 to 23 months old: Wait and see if the child has mild inner ear pain in one ear for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102. 2 F (39 C). Children 24 months and older: Wait and see if the child has mild inner ear pain in one or both ears for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102. 2 F (39 C). Past 48 hours, it is important to see a doctor. Often you or your child will be started on an antibiotic to prevent the infection from spreading and reduce the chance of rare life-threatening infections. Rarely, more serious complications may develop, including mastoiditis (an infection of the bones around the skull), meningitis, infection spreading to the brain, or hearing loss. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
If you have an infant with an ear infection, bottle-feeding during ascent and descent can help regulate the pressure in the middle ear.
Never give children under the age of 18 aspirin as this has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, which can result in brain damage and liver problems. [17] X Research source Use child-strength formulations when giving any pain reliever to children. Follow the dosing recommendations on the package or ask your pediatrician. Do not give ibuprofen to children under the age of 6 months.
You can also fill a clean tube sock with rice or beans and tie or sew the open end of the sock shut. Microwave the sock for 30 seconds at a time until it is the desired temperature. Apply the compress to the ear. You can also use salt as a natural remedy. Heat one cup of salt and place it in a cloth. Tie it up with a rubber band and place it on the affected ear for 5-10 minutes when it’s bearably hot while lying down. Apply the warm compress for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Pediatricians do not recommend that you keep a child home from school for an ear infection unless s/he has a fever. However, you should probably monitor your child’s activity to make sure s/he gets the rest s/he needs.
Take a deep breath and close your mouth. Pinch your nose shut. Then, while pinching the nose, “blow” your nose gently. Do not blow too hard, or you could damage your eardrum. You should feel your ears “pop. "
You should always consult with a pediatrician before trying this with children.
Consult your doctor before using this remedy. Never give any alternative medications to your child without consulting your pediatrician first.
If a fever develops or you observe flu-like symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, this can possibly mean the infection is getting worse and that home ear infection treatments are not working effectively. Symptoms that necessitate a trip to your doctor include confusion, neck stiffness, and swelling, pain, or redness around the ear. These symptoms indicate that the infection may have spread and that it needs immediate treatment. [26] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
In addition to the absence of pain, there may also be drainage coming from the ear. Although ruptured eardrums usually heal within a couple of weeks, even without treatment, some problems may persist that require medical intervention or treatment.
Sometimes, a short-term hearing loss can occur, which is especially concerning for children two years and younger. If your child is younger than 2 and experiencing fluid buildup as well as hearing issues, your doctor may not wait three months to start treatment. Hearing problems at this age could affect your child’s ability to speak and lead to other developmental problems.
Tell your doctor about the last time you used antibiotics, as well as what kind. This will help your doctor choose the most effective kind for you. Make sure you or your child take all the doses of the medication on schedule, to ensure the infection does not return. Do not stop taking antibiotics, even if you feel better until you have completed the entire course as prescribed. Stopping antibiotic treatment before you finish the full course can cause any remaining bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, making the condition much more difficult to treat.
To give drops to a child, first warm up the eardrop solution by placing the bottle in warm water or holding it between your hands for a few minutes. Have your child lie on a flat surface with the infected ear facing up toward you. Use the recommended dosage. Have your child keep his or her head tilted with the infected ear up for about 2 minutes. Because benzocaine is a numbing agent, it’s best if you can have someone else apply the drops to your ear. Avoid touching your ear with the dropper. Benzocaine may cause mild itchiness or redness. It has also been linked to a rare but serious condition that affects your blood’s oxygen levels. Never use more than the recommended dose of benzocaine, and consult your pediatrician to make sure that you give the right dosage to your child.
Ear tube surgery, or myringotomy, is an outpatient procedure. A surgeon inserts tiny tubes into the eardrum so fluids behind the eardrum can drain easier. The eardrum usually closes up again after the tube falls out or is removed.
You and every member of your family should also get a flu vaccination every year. Vaccinating yourself will help keep both you and your family safer from infection. [35] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Experts recommend that you use the PCV13 pneumococcal conjugate vaccination for children. Ask your pediatrician for advice. [36] X Research source
Breastfeeding also boosts your child’s immune system, helping him or her to fight off infections easier. [40] X Research source If bottle-feeding is necessary, place the child in an upright seat so that liquids drip down instead of possibly into their ear. Never give a baby a bottle while s/he is going down for a nap or to sleep at night. [41] X Research source
If you cannot avoid sending your child to daycare, teach him or her a few tactics to help avoid the spread of infections such as colds, which can cause ear infections. [45] X Research source Teach your child not to put toys or fingers in his or her mouth. S/he should avoid touching the face with his or her hands, especially mucous membrane areas such as the mouth, eyes, and nose. S/he should wash hands after eating and after using the bathroom. [46] X Research source
Acidophilus is a commonly studied strain of probiotic. You can find it in many yogurts.
