Ear Infections - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

by Catherine Ipcizade | More from this Blogger

15 May 2006 01:39 AM

If there is good to be found in an ear infection, then it's the fact that most ear infections are minor and come and go without complications. The bad part of ear infections is that they are so common that nearly all babies will have had at least one by the time they turn three years old. The ugly part of ear infections is that they can be very painful and cause a great deal of disruption in your household.

Understanding Ear Infections:

The Eustachian Tube

This is a small tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. Usually the tube is relatively clear of obstructions. But when a baby or child has a cold or viral infection, the tube gets clogged, much like a clogged pipe. When the fluid clogging the tube contains a virus or bacteria, an ear infection may result.

Who Gets Ear Infections?

Nearly all children will have at least one ear infection by the age of three. The most common time for ear infections to occur is between three months and three years of age. This is the time when the Eustachian tubes are the smallest and most susceptible to clogging. How frequently the infections occur depends on the child. Ear infections can run in the family, which means if a parent or older sibling had a lot of ear infections, so may other members of the same family.

Also, babies and children who are in daycare settings are much more likely to get ear infections than those who are not. This is because children easily pass infections back and forth, which can result in ear infections. Likewise, if your older child attends school, it would be presumable that your new baby may get more ear infections when your older child carries home germs from school.

What Causes Ear Infections:

As mentioned above, a clogged Eustachian tube ultimately causes ear infections. This can be due to: *Colds or allergies

*Being bottle-fed while laying down

*Breathing in smoke

What if Your Child Gets a LOT of Ear Infections:

If your child gets frequent ear infections, don't be alarmed. It is not uncommon for babies and children to get many ear infections throughout the first few years of life. It is also normal to have two infections back to back within a few months of one another.

To Prevent Ear Infections:

It is not possible to prevent all ear infections. Your baby will get colds now and then and ear infections may or may not result. But there are some things you can do to lessen their chances of getting ear infections at other times:

*Avoid exposure to smoke

*Breastfeed if possible since breastfed babies get fewer colds and ear infections than bottle-fed babies.

*When bottle-feeding, make sure the baby's head is above stomach-level to avoid clogging the Eustachian tube.

Not Always Easy to Diagnose:

Without seeing a doctor, it's often difficult to diagnose an ear infection. Some children show no signs at all other than normal cold symptoms. Here are some indicators that you need to get your child's ears checked out:

1.Fever - can be anywhere between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

2.Loss of Appetite

3.Sleeping More than Usual

4.Restless Sleeping - not being able to fall asleep, unusual tossing and turning

5.Noticeable Pain - pulling at their ears

6.Unusual Fussiness or Periods of Crying

7.Drainage Coming From Their Ear(s) - may be white, yellow, or blood-tinged

8.Hearing problems - needing the TV louder than normal, asking you to repeat yourself, not responding to verbal communication, etc.

(These signs may occur during or after a cold)

When you suspect your child may have an ear infection, it is important to take him or her to the doctor as soon as possible. Though most ear infections are minor and can even clear up on their own, there are also available antibiotics that can be used to effectively treat the symptoms and ease the discomfort. When fever accompanies the infection, Tylenol or other pain relievers can help ease the pain for babies and children. With antibiotics, you can expect the ear infection to clear up completely within ten days.

For a home remedy, try wetting a washcloth with warm water and having your baby lay his or her ear against it. The heat can be soothing.

Learn more about Catherine Ipcizade

Cathy Ipcizade is 30 years old and currently resides in Southern California. Prior to coming to California she grew up in Arizona.

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Momof2 (46) 15 May 2006 06:30 PM

You can also get Hylands Homeopathic Earache Tablets, I have them at home but haven't needed them yet....hopefully I'll never need them! I LOVE Hylands teething tablets, they are AWESOME! I'm all for natural remedies, some doctors prescribe antibiotics like water, when my first child was only 11 days old, an emergency room doc prescribed antibiotics because her ear was a little red. Stupid parent that I was gave them to her; it was NOT an ear infection. She had multiple infections until tubes were put in her ears but the couple of times I did NOT give her the prescribed antibiotics, the infection went away on it's own. So far, my second child has not had an ear infection but I'm definitely wary about antibiotics.

Andrea M (2525) 22 May 2006 10:23 AM

Not all children that have ear infections feel the pain. My 2 oldest for example, never complained, cried, ran a fever or anything. I take them in for their check ups and BAM they have a serious ear infection. Once, I took my child in and his ear drum was on the verge of rupturing. I guess that I am the unlucky one with my children that don't have the normal symptoms.....LOL:)

Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 22 May 2006 11:12 AM

That's happened to my youngest as well. Yikes! Thank goodness they found out before his little eardrum ruptured!