What if the child's ear hurts
Tips Educational Program / / December 19, 2019
So, you - the parent, in the hands of that crying baby with complaints unwell ear. Wasted no time in taking action.
1. take it easy
Firstly, because the child is not good and at this moment it is especially in need of a safe, calm, confident shoulder mom or dad. But not here in this alarm: "A-ah, what do you do ?!"
Secondly, ear pain in children - a widespread phenomenonEar Infections in Children and it happens much more frequently than in adults.
According toQuick Statistics About Hearing National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (US), five of the six children of an ear infection occurs at least once before they turn 3 years.
There are a quite natural causes.
physiological
In this picture we are most interested in the Eustachian tube - a cavity that connects the ear to the nasopharynx. Normally, it serves to equalize the pressure in and outside the middle ear cavity and generally very useful. But sometimes it may hurt.
A classic case - any SARS accompanied snot. When we sniff (whether in itself or from itself), the mucus gets into the Eustachian tube. And can block it. Natural pressure equalizing mechanism is broken, the eardrum due to the difference of pressure is curved. So there is a sharp pain.
The second point: together with mucus in the ear could allow viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory disease. There is inflammation - otitis.
Eustachian tubes in children shorter and straighter than in adults. It is therefore particularly easily blocked with mucus, and microbes in the middle ear cavity at hand.
immune
The immune system the child is not as effective as in adults. Because of this, the body can not always time to fight infections and ear infections occur more frequently.
Doctors are well aware of these features of the child's body and have a tried and tested practice of treatment of otitis media in children. In most cases, hospitalization is not required: to help your child cope with the disease can be at home. But sometimes there are difficult cases.
2. Make sure that the situation does not require emergency call
As soon as possible, contact your pediatrician or even call an ambulance ifTreating Ear Infections in Children:
- symptoms of ear infection (crying, fussiness, fever, attempts to strike his hands on the ear) occur in children under 6 months;
- baby cries incessantly, complaining of severe pain;
- his temperature exceeds 38,8 β;
- ear swelling and / or fluid flows out of it.
Under these conditions, you may have to go with the child to the hospital.
If the pain is there, but there is no danger signs, still report the situation to your pediatrician (better call it home). Only a doctor make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.
But before his arrival, you can ease the condition of the baby on their own.
3. Help your child get rid of pain in the ear
Immediately we mention two important "not":
- Do not give your child an antibiotic if the medication is not prescribed by your doctor! First, the self-appointment of these drugs - is evil. Why - Layfhaker wrote in detail here. Secondly, in a review of studies publishedDiagnosis, Microbial Epidemiology, and Antibiotic Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in Children in the Journal of the American Medical Association, notes that 80% of children with ear infections recover in about three days without antibiotics. Does your child relates to the remaining 20% ββcan be set only pediatrician.
- Do not drip anything in your ears until the drops not prescribed by a doctor! In some cases, it may worsen the condition of the baby.
But what can be done, even if the pediatrician you have not yet reached.
Attach to your ear warm wet compress
This may be warmer, wrapped by a thin cloth. Or soft cloth soaked in warm water. Compress will reduce the pain and soothe.
Give painkiller
For children older than 6 months will approach OTC drugs on the basis of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Strictly follow the recommendations given in the instructions to the specific means!
And do not let children under the age of 14 (some sources insist even 16) years of aspirin.
Often poite baby
Does not matter what: water, milk, fruit, juice, Morse. The main thing is that the child drank. Swallowing helps to clear mucus from the Eustachian tube, and can relieve pain.
Raise his bed at the head
So that his head was above the body. This will improve the drainage of the sinuses and Eustachian tube.
Do not put your child a pillow under your head - it is better enclose a couple of pillows under the mattress in the bed headboard.
4. Wait for the doctor, and obey his appointment
Once again we will remind: consult a pediatrician for suspected ear infection in any case it is necessary. Perhaps a doctor will prescribe your child medicines - vasoconstrictor, ear drops or antibiotics. Strictly follow all recommendations of your doctor.
Within 3-4 days after onset of illness child will feel almost healthy. If the pain in the ears continues again as quickly as possible, refer to the pediatrician, not to miss the development of possible complications.
see alsoπΆππ
- The more dangerous the adenoids the child and whether to delete them
- Allergies in the child: everything parents need to know about the diagnosis and treatment
- Why is the child crying and what to do
- Where does tinnitus and what to do with it
- What if the child temperature