5 Responses to “How is the best way to treat an ear infection?”

1. 

   X Brain Mom said on November 18th, 2009 at 7:30 am

   Go straight to his pediatrician. While there exist over-the-counter (OTC) remedies and medications that can alleviate the pain and symptoms of an ear infection, there are no OTC measures that kill the bacteria in the middle ear space that actually cause the infection. The “feel better” measures that work the best are oral pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or oral pain/anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Topical anesthetic drops are also available that are applied into the ear canal and basically numb the inflamed ear drum from the outside. But since the infection is caused by bacteria in the middle ear space on the other side of the eardrum, nothing applied externally can help kill the bacteria through the intact eardrum.
   There are those that say that not all middle ear infections really need antibiotics. Before there were doctors and antibiotics, most middle ear infections did ultimately improve on their own. But a significant percentage of those untreated ear infections did not “go away on their own” and led to serious complications such as progression of the infection to the neighboring mastoid bone (mastoiditis), ruptured ear drums, deafness, and even spread of the infection to the spinal fluid surrounding the brain (meningitis). Given the safety and experience we have with antibiotics today, I think that antibiotics are important tools in treating ear infections, along with the “feel better” medications. RUSH!
   Otitis Media in Children

   What is it?

   Otitis (o-TI-tis) media is an infection (in-FECK-shun) of the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum). Children are most likely to get ear infections when they are between three months to three years old. Ear infections are most common during cold and flu season, usually in the winter and early spring months.

   Your child may have an ear infection in one or both ears. He may have one or many repeated infections during his early childhood. Children with ear infections have a build-up of fluid and pressure in the middle ear. The middle ear may become infected by germs, which grow easily in the fluid trapped behind the eardrum. Antibiotic medicine may be used to treat your child’s ear infection. Your child should feel better in two to three days after taking antibiotics. Always give your child antibiotics exactly as directed by his caregiver.

   What causes ear infections?

   Your child may get an ear infection when his eustachian (u-STAY-shun) tubes become swollen or blocked. Eustachian tubes are tiny tubes that connect the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. Eustachian tubes drain fluid away from the middle ear. They keep fresh air flowing in and out of the ears and control air pressure in the middle ear. Fresh air and the right pressure are needed so that your child can hear properly.

   When eustachian tubes become blocked, usually because of a cold or allergy, fluid cannot drain from the ear. Fluid that is trapped behind the eardrum is a perfect place for germs called bacteria (bak-TEER-e-uh) to grow. As the trapped fluid builds up, it puts increased pressure against the eardrum. If too much pressure builds up, the eardrum may break open. This is usually not a serious problem, because with time, the eardrum repairs itself.
   Who is at high risk for getting ear infections?
   Children who go to day care or school.
   Children who live or play around people who smoke.
   Children whose brother, sister, or parent has had problems with ear infections.
   Babies who get their first ear infection before six months of age.
   Children with problems with their face or head, such as those with cleft palate or Down Syndrome.
   Children who suck on pacifiers after ten months of age.
   Children who drink bottles while lying flat.
   What are the signs and symptoms of ear infections?
   Fever.
   Ear pain.
   Fussier and more restless than normal.
   Trouble sleeping.
   Pus or yellowish fluid coming out of the ear.
   Trouble hearing. This may be caused by fluid build-up in the middle ear. Your child may not hear quiet noises that he normally hears in the room. He may seem like he is not paying attention to what you are saying. He may try to sit very close to the TV or ask to turn up his music so it is louder.
   Ear tugging, pulling, or rubbing.
   Will not eat or drink. Sucking, swallowing, and chewing can make the pain worse.
   Dizziness or loss of balance.
   How are ear infections diagnosed?
   Your child’s caregiver will use an otoscope (O-tuh-skop) to look inside your child’s ears. The caregiver may blow a puff of air inside your child’s ears. The otoscope and air help your child’s caregiver see if your child’s eardrums look healthy. If your child’s ear is infected, the eardrum may be red and bulging. A normal eardrum is able to move a small amount. If there is fluid or pus behind it, the eardrum will not move the way it normally does.
   A tympanogram (tim-PAN-o-gram) is another test that may be done. It can help your child’s caregiver learn if your child has fluid in his middle ear. During the test, an ear plug is put into each of your child’s ears to see how the eardrum moves.
   How are ear infections treated?
   Medicine:
   Your child’s treatment may be based on past ear problems and the type of infection your child has. Acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-MIN-o-fin) or ibuprofen (i-bew-PRO-fin) may help your child’s ear pain and fever. The caregiver may also give your child eardrops to treat ear pain. Your child’s caregiver may or may not choose to give your child antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) medicine.
   Sometimes, otitis media does not go away easily. Your child’s caregiver may start your child on a dose of antibiotics, and then decide to increase it. Your child may need to try several different types of antibiotics to make the infection go away. This is because the infection may be caused by bacteria that is resistant to (cannot be killed by) the antibiotics. If your child is taking antibiotics, give them exactly as ordered by the caregiver. Keep giving antibiotics to your child until the medicine is completely gone, even if your child feels better. Stopping the antibiotic before the caregiver tells you to may cause bacteria to form resistance to that antibiotic.
   If your child gets ear infections very often, his caregiver may order antibiotics to be given each day. Taking a small amount of antibiotics daily may prevent or keep your child from getting ear infections as often.
   Surgery:
   Your child may need ear tubes if he has frequent (very often) ear infections. He may need them if he has fluid in his ears for a long time and it is causing hearing loss. The caregiver may do a surgery called a myringotomy (mih-ring-GAH-tuh-me). During a myringotomy, the caregiver will cut a small hole in your child’s eardrum. The caregiver will put in a tiny tube called a P.E. (pressure-equalizing) tube. P.E. tubes help fluid drain out of the ears. They may help keep your child from having ear infections and hearing loss.
   Follow-up appointments:
   Always take your child back to his caregiver for a follow-up appointment. The caregiver will look to see if the fluid and infection are gone from your child’s ears. If fluid or infection remain in the ears, your child may need more treatment.
   What can I do if my child cannot hear well because of his ear infection?
   Ear infections can cause your child to have a short-term hearing loss. If your child is having trouble hearing, face your child when you speak to him. Stand closer to him and speak a little louder to him so he can hear you more clearly. If your child is just starting to talk and he has trouble hearing, his speech may not seem clear. Hearing will usually return to normal when the infection is gone.
   Sometimes ear infections may lead to life-long hearing loss. Hearing loss can cause your child to have problems with learning and speaking clearly. If you think your child’s hearing does not fully return after an ear infection, tell his caregiver. Tests may need to be done to check your child’s hearing.
   What can I do if my child’s eardrum bursts (tears)?
   The eardrum may tear if too much pressure builds up behind it. The small tear or break will usually heal on its own. Signs of a broken eardrum may be blood and pus draining from the ear.
   What can I do to help prevent an ear infection?
   If possible, breast feed your baby.
   Your baby may be less likely to get an ear infection if he is breast fed.
   Do not give your child a bottle while he is lying down.
   This may cause liquid to leak into your child’s eustachian (u-STAY-shun) tube.
   Keep your child away from people who smoke.
   Babies and children who are around smokers are more likely to have ear infections.
   Keep your child away from crowds.
   Germs are easily and quickly spread in daycare centers. Keep your child away from sick playmates. Try to keep him home if there is a cold or other infection going around the daycare.
   Wash your and your child’s hands often.
   Washing with warm water and soap will help keep germs from spreading through your household.
   Vaccinate (VAK-sin-ate) your child.
   Talk to your child’s caregiver about the shots your child needs. These may help him to have less sickness and to stay healthier.

2. 

   Graffetto said on November 21st, 2009 at 1:37 pm

   go to the doctors

3. 

   Irish Red said on November 22nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm

   Get to the peds – this isn’t something to mess around with. Waiting could result in a spontaneous puncture of the eardrum which could cause your child to have hearing problems.

   Antibiotics tend to be overprescribed but this sounds like acute otitis media (“really bad inner ear infection” in normal person language – lol) and it needs to be treated pronto.

   Good luck to you.

4. 

   ice cube said on November 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 pm

   hydrogen peroxide, dump it into your ear and then wait till stops bubbling it might take a long time..

5. 

   tulla said on November 25th, 2009 at 7:50 am

   No he won’t be okay. Have you ever had an ear ache in your adult life? They hurt like ****. It could also cause permanent ear damage. Please take him to a doctor as soon as possible…….like now.

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