Ear infections can occur in the outer or middle ear. An ear infection occurs in the middle ear when fluid becomes trapped following a viral or bacterial infection. This painful affliction is most common in children, but can affect people of all ages. Infections can also occur in the outer ear. They are most common when the skin in the outer ear is dry and cracked. Ear infections can be either acute (of short duration) or chronic (persisting or reoccurring frequently). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Causes Ear Infections? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Otitis media is the medical\nterm for an inflammation of the middle ear, commonly referred to as an ear\ninfection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The majority of ear infections\nare viral or bacterial in nature, usually occurring after a cold or upper\nrespiratory infection. These conditions cause swelling of the Eustachian tube,\na small canal that connects the middle ear to the nostrils and provides an\noutlet for fluid drainage, trapping germs and fluid in the middle ear and\nleading to infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because children are still growing\nphysically, some of their internal organs may also be temporarily\nunderdeveloped. This is true of the Eustachian tube, the vertical canal\nthat connects the middle ear to the nostrils, providing an outlet for fluid\ndrainage. Eustachian tubes in children are still horizontal and\ntherefore don\u2019t drain the fluid efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because the Eustachian tube is smaller\nin children, it is more prone to swelling; when this occurs, fluid is trapped\nin the middle ear. This fluid presses against the eardrum, causing pain, and\ncan harbor germs that lead to infection. The result is an earache and, in some\ncases, loss of hearing. When the infection does not completely go away or\nreturns often, it is referred to as chronic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Infection?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The hallmark signs of otitis media are pain and pressure in the ear and fluid drainage. These may be accompanied by a low-grade fever and hearing loss. Infants are often fussier than usual, and may cry inconsolably, refuse to eat and have trouble sleeping. They may also pull or tug on the ear. Symptoms may be milder in chronic ear infections. Should your child display any of these symptoms, bring them to the doctor; the sooner an acute ear infection is treated, the lower the chances of it developing into a chronic condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Are Ear Infections Treated? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treating\nan ear infection begins at home. To help soothe symptoms, gently press a warm\nwashcloth against the affected ear. You may give your child eardrops and\nover-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve\npain. Avoid aspirin, which can be dangerous to young children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your child\u2019s doctor will likely\nprescribe antibiotics to treat a chronic ear infection. These should be taken\nuntil used up, even if your child\u2019s symptoms appear to be improving; otherwise,\nthe infection could worsen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When medication is not effective, a\nsurgical solution involving ear tubes may be considered. These are inserted in\nthe middle ear and provide ventilation and fluids, keeping the ear clear and\npreventing infection. Most ear tubes remain in place anywhere from six to 18 months\nand eventually fall out on their own. If not, surgery to remove them is\nperformed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can Ear Infections Cause Complications? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If\nleft untreated, chronic ear infections can lead to a variety of complications\nincluding hearing loss, damage to the bones in the middle ear, balance\nproblems, a middle ear cyst called a cholesteatoma, facial paralysis and inflammation\nof the brain. For these reasons, early detection and treatment are crucial.\nBetter still is prevention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can\u2019t always stave off an ear\ninfection, but there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of your child\ndeveloping one. These include breast-feeding your baby, making sure they are up-to-date on\nvaccinations, practicing good hygiene (e.g., regular hand-washing), keeping\nyour child away from tobacco smoke, and enrolling them in as\nsmall a day care or preschool facility as possible. Simply put,\nfewer children mean fewer germs. <\/p>\n\n\n
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