Is your happy toddler suddenly fussy and sleeping poorly? Is she pulling her ear? These signs and more could indicate an ear infection, a common childhood ailment that may start after a cold or flu. At Children's Physicians in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Palm City FL, our five pediatricians help children and their parents navigate ear infections so everyone feels better! Talk to your Pediatricians Palm Beach Gardens, FL team today.
The details on ear infections
The medical term is otitis media, a viral or bacterial infection affecting the middle ear. The middle ear contains the eardrum and three tiny bones which help transmit sound to the inner ear, nerves, and brain. With otitis media, fluid accumulates behind the eardrum, causing painful bulging and a feeling of fullness.
Sadly, the middle ear in young children becomes easily contaminated with germs because of the short length and horizontal orientation of the eustachian tube, the connector between the upper throat and the nasal cavity. Additionally, children who have a lot of allergies, are exposed to cigarette smoke, or are bottle-fed as babies get ear infections more easily and frequently, says the Canadian Paediatric Association.
Signs your child may have one
Many infections start after a child recovers from a cold. However, this is not always true. In any case, watch for these signs of ear infection, and contact your Pediatricians Palm Beach Gardens, FL staff for advice:
- Fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Crying and fussiness
- Loss of appetite
- Poor sleeping
- Tugging and pulling at the ear
- Poor speech and sound recognition
- Drainage from the ear (white or yellow with or without an odor)
Your youngster may experience many ear infections as he or she grows, but often the frequency diminishes with age.
Treating and preventing ear infections
To soothe a sore ear, try a warm compress and acetaminophen for pain and fever. When symptoms persist, contact the Pediatricians Palm Beach Gardens, FL office for an in-office exam. He or she may prescribe antibiotics for a bacterial infection.
Additionally, children who have repeated episodes of otitis media may need the insertion of thin ear tubes to facilitate drainage. This is an in-hospital procedure and helps many kids experience better hearing and far fewer infections.
Also, there are ways to minimize the number of ear infections:
- Practice good hand washing at home, particularly during cold and flu season.
- Breastfeed your baby.
- When he or she transitions to a bottle or sippy cup, be sure your child is upright while drinking.
- Avoid all exposure to cigarette smoke.
- Keep all vaccinations up to date, particularly the flu shot.
Take good care of little ears
Ear infections in children are more than stressful, they can impact hearing acuity. Watch for signs of otitis media in your baby or toddler, and call Children's Physicians in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, or Palm City FL, to consult your pediatrician as needed.
We are your child's medical home with three locations to serve you. In Palm Beach Gardens, call (561) 626-4000. In Jupiter, phone (561) 743-9000, or in Palm City, reach us at (772) 219-4444.