When it rains, it pours! Not only did we recently deal with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in our house. We’ve also had Strep Throat, and now an ear infection in our house! After my 5-year-old came down with strep throat last week, my 1 year-old started with fevers the next day. He was tired, clingy, not eating, and sticking his fingers in his mouth. I was convinced he had strep throat like my daughter. But his rapid strep test actually came back negative. He ended up with an unsuspecting ear infection! The poor kid just can’t catch a break! He started antibiotics just like his sister. Now we have 2 bottles of Amoxicillin in our fridge – for 2 different kids, and 2 different reasons.
My older kids have had ear infections at some point or in their lives. So this isn’t new to our house by any means. But, it’s the first one for the baby and he didn’t seem too happy about it.
Before we gets started on ear infections, grab my FREE Natural Remedies for Kids printable. It’s a valuable resource with simple ways to help your kids through common Pediatric illnesses. Get your printable here.
Here’s a little info on ear infections from a mommy doc perspective:
What is an ear infection?
There are two types. 1. An infection of the ear canal/outer ear (“Otitis Externa” or swimmer’s ear). 2. An infection of the middle ear/behind the ear drum (“Otitis Media”).
If you have younger kids (preschool to elementary school), they’re more likely to get a middle ear infection. Your older kids (elementary school and older) are more likely to get an outer ear infection.
My son has a middle ear infection.
What causes an ear infection?
Middle ear infections usually come up after a cold. The mucous (in the congestion and runny nose) collects in the middle ear. And when that fluid sits there, it can cause a bacteria to set in.
Swimming is a major cause of outer ear infections. Using Q-tips or any other object in the ear can also cause damage to the ear canal. And this damage increases the risk of an infection in the canal.
What are the symptoms of an ear infection?
Children with middle ear infections can have ear pain and a fever. It’s also likely that they’ve had a cold recently. Younger kids may be fussy, pull at their ears, have a decreased appetite, and not sleep as well.
Children with outer ear infections typically have pain at their outer ear. The pain is worse when the ear’s touched or manipulated. The ear may or may not have discharge coming from the canal.
How is an ear infection treated?
If your child has a middle ear infection, he’ll likely be treated with an antibiotic by mouth. But, not all ear infections require treatment. If your child is older than 2 and has mild symptoms (no pain or fever), “watchful waiting” is recommended. This means watching your child for symptoms over the next 2-3 days. Antibiotics can always be started if needed.
Children with recurrent ear infections may require surgery to place “tubes” in their ear drums. In general, if your child has had more than 3 inner ear infections in 6 months, then he might benefit from tubes. This surgery is usually pretty well tolerated. It’s performed to help fluid behind the ear drain better. Thus reducing the risk of infections. It also makes ear infections easier to treat if they do happen again (by using drops instead of antibiotics by mouth).
Antibiotic ear drops are used to treat outer ear infections. There’s no “watchful waiting” recommendation for these infections.
Tylenol or Motrin can also be used to treat the pain associated with ear infections.
What are complications of ear infections?
Untreated or repeated middle ear infections can cause scarring of the ear drum, which can lead to hearing loss.
Ear infections can also lead to an infection of the mastoid bone, which is just behind the ear. This is called mastoiditis. It’s rare, but can lead to A serious infection of the brain or spinal cord. This is one reason why it’s important to treat serious ear infections!
How can you prevent ear infections?
Make sure your child has their vaccine against streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, a common cause of middle ear infections. There are other bacteria that cause ear infections, but this vaccine could at least save your little one from one type!
The flu vaccine is also important, because middle ear infections can be a common complication of the flu.
Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of middle ear infections.
Avoid smoking, since second-hand smoke increases the risk of colds, which can then lead to ear infections in kids.
Our experience
My son’s fevers lasted for 2 days and improved. He never really pulled on his ears, but he was fussy and clingy. And those are typical signs of ear infections in younger kids. He’s starting to feel better now, and our household is on the mend. Hopefully it’ll stay that way for some time!
If I have to look at the bright side, at least this current illness has made my son sit still. He’s usually constantly walking or running around the house, never sitting down except for bedtime and mealtimes. So, I’m kinda glad he’s be still long enough for me to hold him, rock him and get some cuddles in! (If you’re a busy mom, click here to download some practical ways you can spend quality time with your kids – even when they’re sick.)
There you have it! A little info and my experience with ear infections from a mommy doc perspective!
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