Your baby could have an ear infection if fussy, cry more than usual, and tug at their ear. According to an Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorder, five out of six children will get an ear infection before their 3rd birthday. Ear infection or otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear that causes pain. Most middle ear infections arise in the eustachian tube, which connects the ears, nose, and throat.
Ear infections frequently follow a cold, and viruses or bacteria are the most common reasons. The eustachian tube became swells and inflamed as a result of the infection. The tube narrows, creating pressure and pain behind the eardrum as fluid accumulates. Children’s eustachian tubes are shorter and smaller than adults’. Moreover, because their tubes are more horizontal, they are more likely to become clogged.
According to the Children’s National Health System, from 5 to 10% of children with an ear infection will have a burst eardrum. The eardrum recovers typically in one to two weeks, and the child’s hearing is rarely permanently damaged.
Home Remedies for Ear Infection Baby
Ear infections can cause pain, but you can take measures to help ease the pain. Here are some home remedies.
Warm Compress
You can place a warm, moist compress over your child’s ear for about 10 to 15 minutes, and this may help reduce pain.
Acetaminophen
If your kid is older than six months, acetaminophen may assist relieve pain and fever. Use the drugs as suggested by your doctor and the instructions on the bottle of pain reliever. For best results, give your child a dose before bed. You can also consult an ENT Specialist in Lahore.
Warm Oil
When there is no fluid draining from the child’s ear and a ruptured eardrum isn’t observed, put a few drops of slightly warmed or room temperature sesame oil or olive oil in the infected ear.
Keep Your Child Hydrated
Give your child fluids frequently. Swallowing can assist open the eustachian tube so the trapped liquid can drain.
Elevate your Baby’s Head
Slightly raise the cradle at the head to make your baby’s sinus drainage better. Do not put pillows under your baby’s head, and you can place a pillow or two under the mattress.
Homeopathic Ear Drops
Homeopathic ear drops containing extracts of ingredients such as garlic, calendula, mullein, lavender, and St. John’s wort in olive oil may help to get rid of inflammation and pain.
Preventive Measures
Many ear infections can’t be prevented, but there are steps you can take to decrease the risk.
Breastfeeding
You should breastfeed your baby for 6 to 12 months. Antibodies in your milk can help your baby from ear infections and a host of other medical problems.
Prevent from Secondhand Smoke
Prevent your baby from exposure to secondhand smoke, which can make ear infections more severe and more frequent.
Proper Bottle Position
If you bottle-feed your baby, hold the infant in a semi-upright position, so the formula doesn’t flow back into the eustachian tubes. Avoid bottle propping for the same reason.
Healthy Environment
Avoid exposing your baby to conditions where cold and flu germs abound when possible. If you or someone in your home is sick, wash your hands often to keep the germs away from your baby.
Vaccinations
Ensure your child’s immunizations are up-to-date, including flu shots (for six months and older) and pneumococcal vaccines.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics have been administered for ear infections for years. Antibiotics are often not the best solution, as we now know. Research notes that 80 percent recover in about three days without antibiotics among average-risk children with ear infections. When medications are used to treat an ear infection, the bacterium that causes the infection may grow resistant to drugs, making future conditions more difficult to treat. As per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), antibiotics induce diarrhea and vomiting in about 15% of children who take them, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP also found that up to 5 percent of children prescribed antibiotics have an allergic reaction, severe and life-threatening.
Antibiotics, on the other hand, are sometimes the best option. In general, the AAP suggests prescribing antibiotics for ear infections in children aged six months and younger children aged six months to 12 years who have severe symptoms.
Symptoms
Earaches can be excruciating, and your infant won’t be able to tell you how much it hurts. However, there are a few signs:
- Irritability
- Yanking on the ear or swatting it (note that if your baby has no other symptoms, this is an unreliable sign)\
- Decrease in appetite
- Having difficulties sleeping and ear fluid draining
- Ear infections can cause dizziness. If your kid has reached the stage of wobbling, take extra precautions to keep them safe from falling.
You can consult an ENT Specialist in Lahore if the symptoms are not going and your kid is continuously experiencing pain. If you don’t already know the best doctor you can visit, Marham, here you will find the best specialist in your area. Book an appointment with one of the Best ENT Specialists in Lahore through Marham without any difficulty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1- Is it possible for teething to cause ear infections?
Is it possible for teething babies to acquire ear infections? Although there is a correlation between teething and ear pain, teething does not cause ear infections, and the common cold is the most prevalent cause of ear infections.
2- How can I get my baby to sleep if they have an ear infection?
Pillows can be used to encourage children over the age of two to sleep propped up. Place a tiny pillow or two beneath the mattress itself for younger infants to give their crib mattress a modest slope. Warm compresses can help relieve discomfort temporarily.
3- What happens if an ear infection in babies is not treated?
It is necessary to treat ear infections. If left untreated, they can cause unnecessary pain and irreparable hearing loss in your child.
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