How to Prevent/Treat Your Child’s Ear Infection at Home?
Ear infection is a very common occurrence among children. Ear infection is usually referred to as “otitis”. Ortitis are of two types called otitis media and otitis externa. It is the otitis media that is most common among children. It is an infection in the middle part of the ear which is situated behind the ear drum.
Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nose and throat. When the Eustachian tube gets blocked due to cold or throat infection, the middle ear gets filled with fluid and causes infection.
The most common symptoms of ear infection in children are fever and pain in the ear. Children usually pull their ear when they have pain or itching sensation in the ear.
To prevent ear infection in your child,
- Use ear plugs while swimming in pools, lakes or ponds, as the bacteria from these water bodies could infect your child’s ear.
- Ask your child to use disposable tissues to blow his/her nose and also to cover their mouth while coughing. Dispose off the tissue paper after use; avoid reusing it.
- Breast feeding reduces the chances of ear infection in children.
- Do not bottle feed the child by making them lie down. Keep your baby’s head above the stomach level while bottle feeding.
- Parents should avoid smoking in front of children. Smoke increases the chances of ear infection.
What can you do at home to treat ear infection?
- Give your child some pain reliever before bed time. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Advil, Motrin and Aleve and acetaminophen such as Tylenol and Tempra will give your child instant relief from pain.
- Do not give aspirin to anyone below the age of 20.
- With proper rest and care at home, most of the ear infections get cured on its own. This method is called “observation point” where the child is saved from the inconveniences and side effects of antibiotics. He/she is now under the observation of the parents.
- Use a heating pad or a warm wash cloth to apply heat to your child’s ear. This will give your child relief from pain.
If your child does not find relief or get cured of the infection, then consult a doctor.