middle ear infections (otitis media)
Middle ear infections usually happen with or shortly after a cold or upper airway infection (throat, nose, sinuses). Swelling of the airway lining and the Eustachian tube that connects the back of your throat with your middle ear, as well as inflammation of the space behind the eardrum causes fluid to build up.
Bacteria will often grow in the fluid, causing pain, a blocked feeling and infection. Sometimes there can be fluid behind the eardrum without infection. Most common causes include colds, flu, sinusitis, sore throats, allergies and acid reflux.
Typical signs and symptoms of a middle ear infection include:
Feeling blocked or a feeling of pressure in the ear
Earache - can be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent
Muffled hearing
Discharge from the ear, known as a runny ear
Ringing in the ear (tinnitus), sometimes other sounds like the sound of the ocean, echoing, crackling
Dizziness or loss of balance
Fever
Headache
Irritability in children
Vomiting and diarrhea
Tugging at the ears in little ones
Some children has disturbed sleep and may also develop behaviour problems
Image source: About Kids Health
Treatment for middle ear infection:
Ear infections usually clear up on their own, so treatment may begin with managing pain and close monitoring of the condition.
However, ear infection in infants and severe cases will require treatment with antibiotics.
After seeing your ear nurse or doctor, self-treatment may help to relieve symptoms, including:
Holding a moist warm face cloth or wheat bag against the infected ear for 10 minutes, taking care not to burn the skin.
Taking over the counter pain relief regularly as prescribed like paracetamol or ibuprofen for relief of pain or fever.
Staying well hydrated to help the body fight fever and infection.
Lying with the affected ear against your pillow.
Slightly elevate the bed head to improve sinus drainage. Do not place pillows under your baby’s head; instead, place a pillow or two under the mattress.
If you notice a runny discharge from the ear this may mean the eardrum has burst - this is the bodies way of relieving the pain and pressure behind the eardrum. If this happens you may need to get the infected fluid sucked out by your ear nurse. You may also dry mop your ear by rolling a tissue into a thin cigar, gently pushing the soft tip into the ear and remove it with a twisting movement to remove some of the discharge. Make sure to wash your hands after.
Also gently wipe away any discharge from the outer ear with a warm cloth, taking care to wash your hands after. Applying a barrier ointment like vaseline or zinc and castor oil ointment will protect the skin from breaking down.
Keeping background noise in the home to a minimum as loud noises may irritate an infected ear.
Never use cotton buds to clean your own or your baby’s ears, or put anything into the ear that has not been prescribed by a doctor or ear nurse as the eardrum is delicate and can be easily damaged.
If you or your child do not improve over 48 - 72 hours or if any new or worse symptoms develop be sure to see your doctor or ear nurse for review as soon as possible.
What can you do to prevent a middle ear infection:
Keep your home and bedrooms warm and dry.
A smoke-free environment is best.
Breast feeding your baby for as long as possible (preferably longer than six months).
Showing older children how to blow their nose properly from a young age.
Vaccinations should also be kept up to date.
Taking precautions to avoid catching a cold or flu will also reduce the risk of developing a middle ear infection.
Washing hands frequently, not sharing eating and drinking utensils, covering the mouth when sneezing, and getting a seasonal flu vaccination can prevent colds from spreading.
The use of a nasal decongestant during a cold, influenza, or sinusitis, may also help to prevent a middle ear infection.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
Ear infections and glue ear is common in young children
Parental smoking increases the risk
Always get ears checked 4 to 6 weeks after a middle ear infection, to make sure the ear fluid has gone
See your doctor if:
Your child is not feeding well
Your child is floppy, sleepy or drowsy
You experience a stiff neck or eyes are sensitive to light
Any redness or swelling on the bone behind the ear
Fever persists after 48—72 hours
Any new or worse symptoms develop
Healthy eardrum vs middle ear infection:
