Ear infections are painful and frustrating and this is especially true for children. When your child gets an ear infection, it can be hard to watch them suffer. They may be pulling at their ear and crying nonstop. A lot of children also tend to get “crabby” when they are sick. You need to get your child healthy again as soon as possible. Here are some methods and tips for helping a child through an ear infection.
1. Go to the Doctor
If you start to notice the signs of an ear infection in your child, take him or her to the doctor. The doctor can examine your child and give you a proper diagnosis. Some children may have gotten their infection because of genetic factors while others may have gotten it from a cold going around. There may be other causes to consider as well. When you have a proper diagnosis, you can move forward appropriately. Your doctor can explain the problem and educate you on the next steps to take. You may not feel the need to take your child to the doctor at the very first signs of an earache though. Here are some signs that it’s time to make an appointment:
- Trouble hearing
- Vomiting
- Pain lasts for multiple days
- High fever
If your child exhibits these symptoms, you should get them checked out by a doctor. With these symptoms, your child will be more than a little uncomfortable and a doctor can hopefully make him or her feel better. If they think it may be helpful, the doctor may prescribe medication to accomplish this goal.
2. Give Medication
One way to alleviate symptoms and the amount of pain your child is experiencing is with medication. The most common medication a doctor will prescribe for a child’s ear infection is an antibiotic (such as amoxicillin) for approximately 5-10 days. The antibiotic will attack the infection and hopefully get rid of it more quickly. The doctor may also recommend a mild analgesic depending on how much pain your child is in.
You may consider giving your child an over-the-counter medication you can pick up at your local pharmacy. This can be appropriate in many cases but talk to your doctor first about what you plan to give your child so that you get the safest medicine possible. You don’t want to mix certain medications together.
3. Additional Treatments/Surgery
If the ear infections continue or are extremely intense, a visit to the doctor and animal crackers just might not cut it. You may need to do something more and there are procedures designed to help.
The first recommendation would be to have an evaluation by an otolaryngology specialist (otherwise known as an ENT) to provide some symptomatic relief with various techniques.
If these techniques fail, a possible recommendation would be the placement of small tubes in the inner ear to help them drain better and/or removal of tonsils. The idea is that when the ear is drained, it will be less likely to get infected. Since the ears and throat are so connected, getting tonsils removed can actually help fight these types of infections as well. There are certain risks that come with getting surgery but it can offer your child a more permanent solution. There are also additional surgeries involving the ear that can solve the problem. Talk to your doctor to determine if they recommend one of these procedures.
4. Provide Easy-to-Swallow Foods
Many children who get ear infections experience a sharp ache in their ears whenever they swallow. This can make eating (and even just swallowing saliva) a painful task. You can help by providing foods that are easy to swallow like soup and ice cream. You may even want to put your child on a liquid diet for a couple of days. This will help prevent unnecessary pain and give them the nutrients they need to fight the infection. You should also provide foods that will help soothe the throat and the sinuses in general.
5. Reduce Risks
If your child is prone to ear infections, you need to do what you can to reduce the risk. One way to do that is to get your child a flu shot every year before flu season. You should also teach your child about proper hygiene and insist on regular hand-washing to eliminate the chance of them getting germs that could cause an infection.
Another way to help reduce the likelihood of getting these types of infections, is to breastfeed your infant. Breastfeeding is known to increase the immune system in general and may also help prevent a number of other health issues as well.
6. Learn the Symptoms
Your child may not yet be old enough to tell you if they have an ear infection. However, some symptoms may help recognize that something is not right. Some ear infection symptoms include:
- Pulling at their ears
- Inability to sleep
- Nonstop crying
- Not eating as much
If you notice any of these behaviors, your child may have an ear infection and you should contact the doctor.
7. Show Love and Support
Children that are ill often are often very fussy. By providing love and being attentive to your child’s needs can go a long way. Be there for them, cuddle them, and provide snacks if needed. It’s the little things that only a parent does that can help make a sick kid feel better.
8. Worldwide Pediatrics Group
If you have a child who gets ear infections, you understandably want to address the issue immediately. These treatment methods can help save you from stress and worry. Once your child is feeling better, don’t forget to do everything you can to reduce the possibility of more of these types of infections in the future. To learn more about ear infections and possible treatments, contact us today!
