How to recognize and treat ear infections in children. Ear infections: symptoms, causes, treatment Fungal diseases of the ears

What is an ear infection?

Ear infection, also called otitis media, is one of the most common illnesses among children. However, it should never be ignored. Without proper treatment, it can lead to unnecessary pain and permanent hearing loss in a child. An ear infection develops in the middle ear and is caused by bacteria or viruses. The infection causes pressure in the eustachian tube, a small space between the eardrum and the back of the throat. The smaller these pipes, the more sensitive they are to pressure, which causes pain. Baby's adenoids (small pieces of tissue hanging above the tonsils at the back of the throat), being larger in size than the openings of the eustachian tubes, can block the latter.

Additionally, the Eustachian tubes cannot function properly when filled with nasal drainage or mucus caused by allergies, colds, bacteria or viruses, causing painful pressure on the eardrum. A chronic ear infection can last up to 6 weeks or more, but in most cases goes away on its own after 3 days. Children who have regular contact with people who are sick (especially during the winter months) or are exposed to second-hand smoke are at higher risk of developing ear infections. The same applies to bottle-fed babies, since they are in a lying position while eating. Sometimes ear pain accompanies teething in babies, wax buildup, or a foreign object getting into the ear. As pressure increases, the eardrum can crack or burst, creating a hole. If this happens, the wound will hurt for some time, but the pressure and pain put on the membrane will naturally go away.

What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

The first and foremost symptom of an ear infection in children is usually severe ear pain. The problem is that a child can only talk about this after reaching a certain age, while infants will simply scream and cry. The baby may also repeatedly pull on the sore ear. As a rule, at night, during chewing, feeding from a bottle and while lying down, the pain worsens due to increasing pressure. Other symptoms include runny nose, cough, fever, vomiting, dizziness and hearing loss.

Chronic, regular ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss. If you have to speak louder than usual to get your child to hear you, if he starts turning up the volume on the TV or stereo, stops responding to soft sounds, or suddenly becomes less attentive at school, you should be concerned.

What are the causes of ear infections?

An ear infection develops in the middle ear and can be caused by bacteria or viruses. The infection causes pressure in the eustachian tube, a small space between the eardrum and the back of the throat. The Eustachian tubes cannot function properly when filled with nasal drainage or mucus caused by allergies, colds, bacteria or viruses.

How is an ear infection diagnosed?

A doctor diagnoses an ear infection by examining the ear using an otoscope, a special small device with a light. Without this device, it is impossible to examine the infection. The doctor will determine the presence of an infection by redness of the eardrum, the presence of fluid inside the ear, damage to the eardrum with the formation of a visible hole in it, and also based on characteristic symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, fever, vomiting and dizziness.

Can an ear infection be prevented?

Although ear infections are not contagious, the virus or bacteria that causes them is often spread from one person to another. This is why it is extremely important:

Vaccinate your child with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to protect against several types of pneumococcal bacteria. The fact is that it is this variety that causes most cases of ear infections. Get vaccinated on time.
Teach your child to regularly and thoroughly wash their hands and avoid sharing food and drinks, especially if they have daily contact with a large number of children at school or kindergarten.
Avoid passive smoking.
Breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first 6 months of life and continue breastfeeding for at least 1 year.
Tilt the baby when feeding.

Conventional allergy and cold medications are ineffective against ear infections.

How is an ear infection treated?

Typically, ear infections go away on their own within a few days without the use of medications or surgery. It should be noted that doctors are extremely cautious about prescribing antibiotics except in cases of chronic or very frequent infections. Moreover, studies have shown that heavy courses of antibiotics are not effective for ear infections. Typically, the pain and fever that accompany an ear infection are treated with over-the-counter pain medications, with the expectation that the infection will go away on its own after a few days. If this does not happen, the doctor will certainly ask you to bring the child for a re-examination. Only at this stage is it advisable to prescribe a course of antibiotics, and only if the cause of the disease is a bacterial infection.

If the infection is chronic or frequent, there are signs of hearing loss or resulting speech problems, the doctor may refer the child to an otolaryngologist for surgery. As part of this, the specialist will insert tubes into the middle ear, which will drain the fluid and, therefore, reduce the pressure. Some children are born with small Eustachian tubes, so surgery will correct this problem. As your ears get older and larger, the tubes will fall out on their own. In some cases this happens too early and the tubes must be reinserted. In other cases, they never fall out, so removal is also done surgically. The operation is done very quickly and does not require a long hospital stay.

In general, surgery is only indicated in certain circumstances, such as very common infections, or if the child has Down syndrome, a cleft palate, or a weakened immune system. Never put anything into your child's ear to relieve pain or to remove inserted tubes or foreign objects. If necessary, consult a doctor.

Consequences of an ear infection

Young children are much more likely to develop ear infections than teenagers and adults. In fact, ear infections are one of the most common childhood illnesses. If your child experiences them several times a year, carefully monitor symptoms and consult a doctor promptly. In most cases, the infection completely clears up on its own within 1-2 weeks. If you are able to manage your pain at home, it is recommended that you wait 48 hours before visiting your doctor to prescribe antibiotics. The exception is when the child is under 2 years old, has pain in both ears, or has a body temperature exceeding 39°C.

Questions to ask your doctor

How to reduce nighttime discomfort and pain in a child with an ear infection?
Is it possible to drain an infected ear?
What is the difference between an ear infection and otitis externa?
Does my child need ear tubes?
What are the risks of surgical placement of tubes in the middle ear? What are the risks of refusing them?
Does my child need regular hearing tests if he has already had an ear infection?

Ear pain during a cold can be sharp, dull or burning, and can vary in intensity (from mild to very severe). Even in the absence of infection, fluid accumulating in the ear puts pressure on the eardrum, causing swelling and vibration.

If you have ear pain during a cold, you or your child may experience trouble sleeping, fever, and greenish or yellow nasal discharge. Because a cold, unlike an infection, goes away on its own, ear pain usually goes away along with it. However, if you have ear pain, ear infections are still a possibility, so you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Typically, the initial cause of ear pain is a cold virus, and then a secondary ear infection develops. It often occurs suddenly and initially causes severe pain. The reason is that the sensitive nerve endings of the eardrum are subject to increased pressure. Ear pain may ease when the eardrum stretches a little.

Other symptoms of ear pain caused by infection include:

Loss of appetite - especially severe in young children during bottle feeding.
Middle ear pressure changes when a child swallows, causing more severe ear pain.
Irritability.
Sleep disturbance - occurs because the pain is constant, because fluid moves during sleep.
Fever - with an ear infection, the temperature can rise to 40°C.
Dizziness - You may feel like you are spinning.
Ear discharge - yellow, brownish or white thin discharge that is not earwax indicates a perforated eardrum due to infection.
Hearing Impairment - Fluid accumulation not only causes pain in the ears, but also interferes with the normal functioning of the eardrum. The sound signal does not pass to the auditory ossicles of the middle ear and is not transmitted further to the brain.
Suppurative otitis media - With this infection, the symptoms of acute otitis media and ear pain may disappear, but the fluid (pus) remains. The accumulated fluid causes temporary and minor hearing loss.

How to diagnose an ear infection?

If otitis is suspected, the doctor examines the ear using an otoscope. A healthy eardrum is pinkish-gray and transparent. Signs of infection include ear pain and redness and swelling of the eardrum. A doctor can check for fluid in the middle ear using a pneumatic otoscope by blowing a small amount of air to vibrate the eardrum.

It will not vibrate properly if fluid has accumulated in the ear. Tympanometry is also used to diagnose ear infections. This test checks for fluid in the middle ear using sound and air pressure (it is not used to evaluate hearing).

How to treat ear pain due to a cold or infection?

Typically, ear infections and pain can be treated successfully. With proper treatment, permanent ear damage or hearing loss is currently unlikely. Treatment may include medications to relieve ear pain and fever, antibiotics for bacterial infections, and/or monitoring symptoms. Painkillers. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen relieve ear pain from a cold or fever above 39°C. They usually help as a pain reliever for one to two hours. Remember that ear pain tends to get worse at night.

Antibiotics for ear infections. Antibiotics prescribed by your doctor kill the bacteria that cause the infection. They should not be used for ear pain due to a cold or conditions caused by a virus. When taking antibiotics, you may experience nausea, diarrhea, rash, or thrush. They may also affect the way other medications work, including those you take for ear pain. Myringotomy (ear tubes) to drain fluid.

If fluid remains in the ear for more than three months, or if infections recur frequently, the doctor inserts small metal or plastic tubes through holes in the eardrum. These tubes drain accumulated fluid. This outpatient procedure is part of treatment for an infection and is usually performed on children under general anesthesia. Typically, the tubes remain in place for eight to 18 months before falling out on their own. In some cases, the doctor may intentionally leave them for a longer period.

What happens if an ear infection is left untreated?

Left untreated, ear pain due to a middle ear infection can lead to the following consequences: Otitis media of the inner ear. Scarring of the eardrum. Hearing loss. Mastoiditis (temporal bone infection). Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Problems of speech development in children. Facial paralysis. Call your pediatrician immediately if: Your child has torticollis (stiff neck muscles). The child gets tired quickly, reacts poorly and cannot be consoled.

Call your pediatrician if: Fever or ear pain does not go away within 48 hours of taking antibiotics. Something is bothering you or you have questions. Are there measures to prevent ear pain due to colds and infections? Ear pain prevention measures exist for both adults and children. Sometimes a change in home environment is enough, but in some cases surgery will be required (for example, for severe infections).

Discuss the following precautions with your doctor: Protect your baby from colds, especially in the first year of life. Most ear infections are caused by a cold. Ear pain can develop after the flu, so ask your doctor about getting an annual flu vaccine.

Most children receive the pneumococcal vaccine, which helps prevent infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major cause of ear infections. Ask your doctor if you are unsure whether your child is vaccinated. As a rule, this vaccination is given before the age of two. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, which increases the incidence and severity of ear infections.

Monitor for allergic reactions. Inflammation caused by allergies contributes to ear pain and infection. Breastfeed your baby whenever possible for the first 6 to 12 months of life. Antibodies found in breast milk reduce the risk of ear pain caused by infection. When bottle-feeding, hold the bottle in your hands and hold the baby at a 45-degree angle. Feeding in a horizontal position can cause formula and other fluids to flow into the eustachian tubes, causing ear pain.

Do not allow your child to hold the bottle himself; milk may get into the middle ear. To solve these problems, you should wean your baby off the bottle between the ages of 9 and 12 months. Pay attention to your breathing. If a child breathes through his mouth or snores/sniffles, this may be a sign of enlarged adenoids. They also influence the development of ear infections and ear pain. You may need to be examined by an otolaryngologist or even have surgery to remove your adenoids (adenotomy).

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There is nothing more painful than ear pain. One of the causes of pain is ear infections. This pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp throbbing pain. Having an ear infection prevents you from concentrating, causing headaches, hearing loss, and nausea. An ear infection causes fluid to accumulate in the ear, which can cause fever and disrupt sleep.

Causes of ear infection

The main cause of ear pain associated with infections is a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear. Such infections can be acute or chronic. Acute infections are very painful. Chronic infection can lead to irreversible damage to the middle and inner ear.

Ear infections occur when the Eustachian tubes become blocked, swelling occurs, and fluid begins to accumulate in the middle ear. The Eustachian tubes are small tubes that run from the ear to the back of the throat.

The cause of blockage may be:

Allergy;
Cold;
Nasal congestion;
Excess mucus;
Tobacco smoking;
Infected and inflamed adenoids.

Although ear infections most often occur in young children, since their Eustachian tube is short and narrow. Formula-fed children are more susceptible to ear infections. But infections can also occur in adults. The main risk factors for ear infections are:

Changing of the climate;
Climbing to a height above sea level;
Exposure to cigarette smoke;
Disease or infection;
Sucking a pacifier.

Symptoms of an ear infection

The most common symptoms are:

Moderate pain or discomfort in the ear area;

Persistent pressure inside the ear;

Anxiety of a small child;

Leakage of pus;

Hearing loss.

These symptoms may persist or go away, occurring in one ear or both. Symptoms of a chronic infection may be less noticeable than acute ones. If an ear infection occurs in a child 6 months or younger who has a fever, be sure to see a doctor.

Most ear infections can be treated without medical intervention. The following methods are most effective:

Place a warm cloth on the sore ear;

Buy prescription painkillers such as ibuprofen;

Apply pain-relieving ear drops;

Apply decongestant drops.

If symptoms do not improve or worsen, you should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment. For children under two years of age, doctors most often prescribe antibiotics.

Surgery may be necessary if the condition does not improve or there have been several ear infections in a row. In some cases, your doctor may suggest adenoid removal.

Home remedies for ear pain

There are plenty of home remedies that can help relieve or relieve ear pain associated with infection.

Garlic has powerful antimicrobial and analgesic properties. Garlic can be used in different ways to treat ear pain.

The first thing is to make garlic butter. To do this, you need to take two cloves of garlic, chop and mix with two tablespoons of mustard oil. Heat the mixture until it turns almost black. Place warm oil in your ear.

The second way is to boil 2 cloves of garlic in water for about 5 minutes. Then mash the cloves and add a little salt. Wrap this mixture in a clean bandage, folded several times and place it in the sore ear.

For chronic ear infections, you can eat a few cloves of garlic every day as a preventive measure. This will boost immunity and speed up healing.

Onions, like garlic, are used to treat many diseases. Onions contain flavonoids, particularly quercetin. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which will help reduce pain in an inflamed ear.

Bake the onion in the oven for about 15 minutes at a temperature of 200-220 degrees.

Cool, cut it in half and squeeze the juice into a small bowl. Strain through several layers of gauze or paper towel to avoid onion particles.

If the temperature of the juice is comfortable, use a pipette to drop a few drops into the sore ear. Turn your head in the opposite direction so that the juice does not leak out.

Then turn your head in the direction of the sore ear so that all the juice flows out. Wipe your ear. Repeat the drops several times a day.

Olive oil

When the Eustachian tubes are blocked, it can be cleared with olive oil. Heat a small amount of oil and drop it into the sore ear. The oil will soften the plug and it can be easily removed with a cotton swab. There is no need to insert the stick too deeply into the ear so as not to damage the eardrum.

Radishes are often recommended for constipation, high blood pressure, and dehydration. You can use it for ear infections. To do this, mix a teaspoon of chopped radish with 2 tablespoons of mustard oil. Heat for about 10 minutes.

Strain to separate the radishes and transfer the oil into a clean bottle. Place 2-3 drops into the sore ear for quick relief.

Apple vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has many beneficial properties, including antibacterial and antifungal. Vinegar is often used to treat various fungal and yeast bacteria. It can also be used to treat ear infections.

Before use, you need to mix apple cider vinegar with water in equal proportions. Dip a rolled cotton ball and place it in your ear. Leave for about 5 minutes. Then take it out and lie on your side so that the remaining vinegar flows out of your ear. Then dry your ear with a warm hairdryer.

If you don't have apple cider vinegar, you can use regular natural table vinegar. Just keep in mind that the concentration of such vinegar is higher than that of apple cider vinegar.

There is salt in every home and, as a rule, there is always a pack in stock. Add about a cup of salt (or a glass) and heat it on the stove in a dry frying pan. Then pour the salt into a clean cotton napkin and tie it. Apply to the affected ear and hold for about 10 minutes. Apply salt for several days until the pain goes away. Salt can draw out accumulated fluid from the ear and provide relief from pain.

Basil is not only an aromatic spice. It also has medicinal properties. It is high in antioxidants and has powerful antibacterial properties. Crush 5-6 fresh basil leaves to extract the juice. Place this juice in your ear.

You can mix basil oil with coconut oil and soak a cotton swab in it and gently clean the inside and outside of your ear.

Ginger root is famous for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. To do this, squeeze the juice out of the root and drop it into your ear. As an alternative, you can moisten a cotton swab and place it in the sore ear.

You can make the oil by mixing a teaspoon of grated ginger root with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Warm for about 10 minutes and filter. Place a few drops at a time.

Mullein is a plant with soft, velvety leaves and has medicinal properties. Mullein flowers are often used to make extracts in oil or vodka. They are also brewed as tea. Such mullein extracts are often used in the treatment of cough and respiratory diseases.

The flowers of the plant have analgesic properties and help reduce pain. And anti-inflammatory properties - relieve inflammation.

To use this herb to treat an ear infection, soak a cotton swab in mullein oil and place it in the infected ear. Leave for 5-10 minutes. Repeat the mullein treatment until the pain goes away.

You can mix a few drops of mullein oil with garlic oil and place a few drops in your ear.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is familiar to everyone for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties.

All these properties of the oil allow it to be used to treat sore ears. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a tablespoon of olive oil. Warm it up a little and drop a few drops into your ear. Tilt your head to the side for 3-4 minutes and then turn it back so that the oil flows out. Do this procedure daily until the pain subsides.

Peppermint oil

Mint has strong analgesic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. When treating the ear, you can use fresh mint leaf juice or dilute the essential oil and drop 2-3 drops into the sore ear. In addition, the oil can be wiped near the ear and ear canal.

Hydrogen peroxide

Scratches, wounds, and cuts are treated with peroxide. When hydrogen peroxide is used in the ear, it can soften the plug and make it easier for fluid accumulated in the ear to escape. To do this, mix 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with the same amount of water. Moisten a cotton swab and, tilting your head to the side, squeeze the liquid into your ear.

After instilling peroxide, there will be a slight tingling sensation. This is fine. Hold this for about 10 minutes and wipe your ear. Repeat several times a day.

Warm water

A warm water bottle can also help relieve pain. To do this, pour hot water into a bottle and wrap it in a terry towel. Apply to the sore ear. The warmth from the water will help soothe the pain.

In addition to the following home remedies, you can use the following to relieve pain and treat ear infections:

Flaxseed oil with garlic;

Sesame oil;

Herbal teas, especially mint;

Diluted eucalyptus oil.

How to Prevent Ear Infections

As you know, it is better to prevent than to treat later. So take note of these tips.

Dry your ears well after showering.

Wear a scarf or other head covering in cold weather.

Chew gum if you go on an excursion to the mountains or fly on an airplane.

Lubricate your ears with oil before bathing.

Drink plenty of water and reduce your intake of dairy products.

Avoid foods with a lot of sugar.

Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, especially greens.

Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Wash your hands often.

If possible, it is better not to accustom your child to a pacifier or pacifier.

Breastfeed your baby.

No matter how good the home remedies for treating ear infections are, it is still better to consult a doctor. Especially if such pain has become chronic.

What folk remedies can be used for otitis media, see this video

Many ear diseases are caused by bacteria and viral infections. One of these is viral otitis media. With this pathology, damage to the outer, middle, and inner ear is observed. This should be treated immediately to avoid a strong weakening of local immunity, which is dangerous due to the development of secondary immunity.

Viral otitis is also known as "". This disease affects the mucous membrane of the ear. Viral infection of the mucous membrane can cause the development of the following forms of otitis:

interior.

Pathology is more often recorded in children (under 5 years). It also occurs in those who have weakened immune systems. The disease develops in a unique way; it is characterized by an abrupt onset, rapid development, and the manifestation of vivid symptoms.

The disease is called bullous for the reason that bullae form on top of the eardrum, the dermis of the ear canal. The bulla is represented by a vesicle filled with blood.

Causes

In children, the disease manifests itself in:

crying;
pain when sucking;
sleep disturbance;
a sharp increase in temperature;
anxiety;
pain when touching the tragus.

Diagnostics, necessary tests

A clinical picture is enough for a doctor to make a diagnosis. It usually manifests itself very clearly. In addition to the examination, the specialist may prescribe tests necessary to determine the causative agent of inflammation:

smear analysis.

If a patient has sensorineural hearing loss, the doctor will refer him to the following diagnostic methods:

You may also need to consult an audiologist. If a patient is found to have diarrhea, he should consult a neurologist.

Diagnosis of bullae on the eardrum with viral otitis in our video:

How to treat

After clarifying the expected diagnosis, the doctor considers the need for hospitalization of the patient. Children under two years of age and those who are too weak are subject to hospitalization. If the disease has a calm course, you can be treated at home.

Treatment of infectious otitis consists of two methods of therapy:

medicinal;
local.

If a patient has paralysis of facial muscles, he will be prescribed surgical treatment. It consists of decompressing the nerve branch.

Medication

Treatment with medications consists of using the following drugs:

antiviral (“Tsitovir 3”, “Ingavirin”, “”, “”, “”, “”);
glucocorticosteroids (“ ”, “ ”);
decongestants (“”, “Lasix”, “Calcium chloride”);
antibiotics ("", "", "");
analgesics (“Ibuklin”, “”, “”).

Miramistin, "Chlorhexidine". These products should be used after opening the bullae.
"Burov's Liquid". It is used for lotions and tampons. Helps against severe wetting.
" ", " ", " ". swelling But doctors do not recommend heating the ear.
Many people recommend garlic. To speed up recovery, eat 3 cloves a day. You can also make it from it. Boil the garlic (5 minutes), add salt, place everything in a bag and apply it to the area near the sore ear.

Apple cider vinegar is used for tampons, which are kept inside the ear for about 5 minutes. After the procedure, you need to lie on the opposite side. This is necessary so that excess fluid comes out of the ear.

A few simple recipes for treating otitis using folk methods:

What is possible and what is not

If a diagnosis of “viral otitis” is made, it is forbidden to warm the ear. This procedure will not be beneficial. It can only cause harm and activate the proliferation of bacteria. Hypothermia of the affected ear should not be allowed.

Ear diseases are considered one of the most common diseases in both children and adults. Ear infections usually occur in the middle ear, behind the eardrum and is known as a middle ear infection (otitis media). Otitis media develops when the middle ear becomes inflamed or infected as a result allergies to cold or upper respiratory tract infections. When your ear is infected, you will experience pain and discomfort in it. Most infections do not require long-term or radical treatment and they can be cured on their own within a few days. However, frequently recurring infections can cause serious complications in the ear, both short-term and long-term hearing loss, and also a violation of the integrity of the eardrum.

There are different types of ear infections and these include:

Acute otitis media (AOM) – parts of the ear become swollen and infected and fluid and water are blocked inside the ear.
Otitis media with effusion (OME).
Fluid in the middle ear remains there even after symptoms of infection are removed.
Otitis externa (swimmer's ear).
The infection develops in the outer ear when water gets into the ear canal and usually affects the eardrum.
Purulent otitis.
An ear infection with drainage that lasts more than two weeks can develop from repeated ear infections.
Inner ear infection. The inner ear becomes infected, which is caused by the accumulation of water trapped inside the ear and earwax.

Diagnosis of ear diseases.

Diagnosis of an ear infection is based on symptoms and visual examination, physical examination. A special tool is used for this otoscope to determine whether there is inflammation in the middle ear or not.

If increased fluid develops without infection (otitis with effusion), a pneumatic otoscope is used to blowing the ear with air.

Additional tests for ear infections may also be performed and these include tympanometry(to measure eardrum movement) or acoustic reflectometry(to project sounds of different frequencies in the ear).

Majority children suffering from ear infections, have no speech abilities and cannot explain what hurts them.

Common symptoms and signs include:

Drawing pain in one or both ears.
Irritability.
Crying more than usual.
Difficulty falling asleep.
Pain in the ear when pressing on it.
Fever.
Unable to respond to sounds, has difficulty hearing.
Headache.
Fluid leaking from the ears.

What Causes Ear Infections?

There are various circumstances and factors that can contribute to an ear infection, and they include:

A bacterial or viral infection that causes the common cold.
Problems inside the eustachian tubes, such as swelling and blockage or dysfunction of these tubes.
Swelling of the adenoids.
Sudden hypothermia when swimming.
There was a draft.
Children and adults with underdeveloped immune systems.

Help with ear infections

There are different treatment options for ear infections depending on your patient's age, medical history, type of infection, and level of pain.
Ear infections caused by a virus are usually clear and self-limiting within a few days without treatment; first, avoid using antibiotics to cure the disease. Eat many self-help options, the easiest to apply alcohol or oil compress on the affected ear or placing warm oil in it.

Keep in mind that antibiotics should not be used to treat an infection caused by a virus. In cases where your child has recurring ear infections that do not respond to antibiotics or fluid in the ear is affecting hearing, surgery may be recommended. Surgical procedure, such as myringotomy, in which the eardrum is A small drainage tube is inserted into the ear.

Herbal and homeopathic remedies Gentle and natural for treating ear infections and promoting overall ear health. These products are safe for use in children without the harsh side effects that can occur with antibiotic treatment.

Herbs such as chamomile, act as a sedative for overall health. Echinacea purpurea supports the immune system. Homeopathic ingredients such as Belladonna, Pulsatilla And Ferrum, Leviticum, And Calc. sulp help keep your child's ears healthy.

More information about ear infections

There are certain risk factors that may make your child susceptible to ear infections include:

Children aged 4 months to 4 years.
Impact tobacco smoke and high level air pollution.
Relatives often suffer ear infections.
Ear infections are the most common during the autumn-winter period.

There are certain things that can be done to prevent ear infections, and relieve pain and discomfort.

Breastfeed your baby for as long as possible, – to improve immunity.
Let your the house will be smoke-free– Protect your child from second-hand smoke.
Avoid your child's contact with other sick children, especially in crowded areas.
Feed your baby in an upright position if you transfer him for artificial feeding- this may cause irritation of the eustachian tube.
Put warm, damp cloth to the affected ear.
When cold symptoms appear, use steam, saline solution nasal drops or suctioning to keep your nose clean.
Boost your child's immunity by including fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet.
Teach your child good hygiene habits such as washing hands before eating, after using the toilet and after playing with pets.
Learn recognize allergy symptoms and keep them under control as they can lead to ear infections.