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Ear infections are one of the most common complaints seen in a pediatrician’s office. While they can occur anytime throughout the year, they tend to increase in during the winter and come after a cold. While ear infections are common and are usually easily treatable, they can cause discomfort for your child and can be extremely distressing for parents.
Ear infections occur when fluid gathers in the middle ear space behind the eardrum and then becomes infected with bacteria that normally hangs out in that area. As the fluid and inflammation expands, it can push on the eardrum and cause discomfort to the child. Kids, specifically toddlers, tend to get more ear infections than adults because their Eustachian tubes (canals that connect the ear space to the nasal cavity) are narrower, shorter and more horizontal than those of adults. That makes it easier for fluid to get trapped behind the ear drum and become infected. When kids are congested, it may make it harder for fluid to drain, ultimately contributing to ear infections.
I know that sometimes it can be hard to tell when your child has an ear infection. Sometimes it seems like kids have colds all winter long — taking them to the doctor every time they sniffle or cough could result in numerous visits. While an older child may be able to describe their ear pain, it’s much harder to tell in younger children. Here are some indicators to keep an eye out for:
Okay, so you think your child has an ear infection. Should you get them evaluated?
If your child is more than 6 months old and symptoms are very mild, you can probably try home treatments first. If symptoms don’t improve quickly, have your child checked out by your pediatrician.
Your pediatrician will ask questions about description and duration of symptoms. Then we will check to make sure your child is breathing comfortably and seems well hydrated, and of course we will examine the ears.
If your child is in a lot of pain and you aren’t able to get into your pediatrician right away, Children’s Wisconsin has walk-in urgent care at several locations in Southeast Wisconsin. You can check current wait times and save a spot on our website.
Occasionally, an antibiotic may not clear up the infection completely. This can happen if the bacteria is resistant to certain antibiotics. In this case, we will switch up the antibiotics and treat with one that should cover for the resistance. If your child is having a significant number of ear infections in a short period of time, we will often refer your child to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to be evaluated for ear tubes.
Here are some steps that you can take to help prevent colds and ear infections:
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