Your crying child awakens you in the middle of the night. What’s the problem? A bad dream? Fever? Wet bed? Scared of the dark? Consider earache when you’re running down your list of possibilities.
An ear infection (medically called otitis media) is the most common illness in babies and young children. Three out of four children will experience at least one by the time they are age three. The majority of children will have more than one.
What Causes Ear Infections?
Not all earaches are infections. Sometimes a sore throat or other problems of the nose, mouth, throat, and jaw can cause an ear to ache. Ear pain can also be caused from water accumulation from a bath, shampoo getting into the ear, or from your child’s ear being scratched or irritated from your trying to clean it. (You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: If it’s smaller than your elbow, don’t stick it in your child’s ear!)
If fluid or mucus becomes trapped in the middle ear, your child could develop an ear infection. (The middle ear is the part of the ear behind the eardrum. See the diagram below.) Usually, an ear infection happens when a virus or bacteria gets into your child’s ear, although it can also happen from swimming, allergies, or a cold.
Why Don’t I Get Them?
Children are more prone to ear infections for a number a reasons. Their immune systems are not fully developed. Also, they have shorter, more horizontal Eustachian tubes than adults do. (The Eustachian tube is a small passageway that connects the upper part of the throat to the middle ear.)
 Another possible reason children are more susceptible to ear infections is that their adenoids are larger than those in adults. Adenoids, much like tonsils, help fight infection. They are located in the back of the throat, close to the Eustachian tubes. When they swell, they can restrict the Eustachian tube opening.
Left untreated, an ear infection could result in permanent hearing loss. Additionally, the infection could spread to nearby parts of the head – including your child’s brain. But, calm down. Ear infections are easily treated.
My Child Can’t Talk Yet
Detecting an ear infection can be more difficult when children aren’t able to communicate clearly. Also, some children have a higher tolerance for pain, giving the infection more of a foothold before they come to you screaming in pain.
There are some common signs of ear infection. Watch for them, and get your child taken care of before hearing loss and language difficulties arise:
- Does your child tug or pull at one or both ears?
- Is he more irritable than usual?
- Is she having problems sleeping?
- Is he having difficulty keeping his balance?
- Is she eating less than usual?
- Do you see fluid draining from one or both ears?
- Is he crying more than usual?
- Is there a fever?
- Does she seem listless?
- Does he not respond to quiet sounds?
- Is she sitting closer to the television?
- Does he appear inattentive?
If you see any of these signs, call your child’s healthcare provider for an appointment. |
