Painful Ear Infections Likely to Strike at Least Once During Early Years - Health Tips

Painful ear infections are likely to strike at least once during early years.

Most children will experience an ear infection once, if not repeatedly, throughout their infant and toddler years. A child is most susceptible to an infection between six months of age and two years. However, an ear infection can cause problems for children as old as eight years of age.

An ear infection is a bacterial infection that affects the space behind the eardrum called the middle ear. Most often, the infection is the result of a cold. In small children, a cold can block the passage that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, trapping fluid which then becomes infected and puts painful pressure on the eardrum.

It is very unlikely for an ear infection to cause permanent damage, however, children may experience a variety of symptoms, including ear pain, irritability and interrupted sleeping patterns. If you suspect your child has an infection, it is important to visit your child's physician right away. After examining both ears and determining an infection is present, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to kill the bacteria that has caused the ear infection.

Ear infections are often unavoidable. However, there are several ways to reduce the number of infections that affect your child.

Reduce exposure to colds. Because most ear infections begin with a cold, try to decrease your child's exposure to colds during his or her first year of life. Simple steps can be taken, such as avoiding others who have a cold, requesting family members and visitors wash their hands before touching your baby, and delaying the use of large day care centers until after your child's first birthday.
Keep your child away from second-hand smoke. Because second-hand smoke increases the frequency and severity of infections, insist that no one smoke around your child.
Breast-feed your baby. The antibodies found in breast milk have a significant impact on the rate of ear infections. Studies show that children who are breast-fed for at least the first six to 12 months of life experience fewer ear infections than those fed by bottle.

In addition to administering an antibiotic, you can help ease your child's pain by trying these at-home treatments:

Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Both over-the-counter medications can help ease the pain of an earache or reduce a fever over 102°F. Because the ear tends to hurt more in the evening, be sure to give your child a dose before bedtime.
Apply cold or heat. To reduce swelling and pressure, apply ice wrapped in a wet washcloth or a heating pad to the ear for no longer than 20 minutes to avoid frostbite or burn.

If your child does have an ear infection, it is important to finish the entire antibiotic prescription. Even though your child may feel better a few days after treatment begins, the infection can recur if the medication is not finished.

A follow-up exam two to three weeks after the initial diagnosis also is advised. At that time, your child's physician will examine the ears to ensure the infection has cleared and that no additional treatment is needed.

If your child develops a stiff neck, acts very sick, or experiences fever or pain after taking the antibiotic for 48 hours contact your child's physician right away.