Ear Infections

  Ear infections can cause much distress in young children and parents. It is one of the most common health problems for young children between the ages of 6 months to 4 years. Most children outgrow it by 6 years of age.

  Middle ear infection is when the area behind the ear drum is infected with fluid or pus. The common time for it to occur is usually the Winter season after or during a common cold.

  Ear infections are usually caused by either viruses or bacteria. Most children recover within 24 hours. However, it can be worrying when your child is screaming in pain and holding his ear like my young 3 year old son did during the middle of the night waking everyone up from sleep. I had to do something quickly so as not to keep the whole household awake. My immediate first aid was to place a large ball of cotton wool moistened with vegetable oil and placed on the EXTERIOR outside of his ear structure. With the oiled cotton ball gently placed on the OUTSIDE of his ear, he stopped crying instantly. That was a safe first aid to use until I could take him to our Doctor the next morning.

IMPORTANT: Never push any cotton or cotton bud or anything inside the child's ear as it may harm his ear.

What happens:

• During a common cold, sinusitis or throat infection, the Eustachian tube (connects the middle ear to the throat) often gets blocked preventing air from getting to the middle ear.

• A sticky fluid infected with bacteria gets collected in the middle ear causing the middle ear infection and pain.
• The most common age is 6 months to 2 years old.

Signs of Middle Ear Infection:

• crying, pulling the ear lobe
• fever
• nausea, vomiting, dizziness
• refusing food
• sleep problems
• feeling unwell
• diarrhoea

  Sometimes when the pressure of the fluid is great, the ear drum bursts, allowing the fluid or pus to drain providing immediate relief to the child. The ear drum usually heals up very well by itself. However, it is best to seek medical advice from your doctor.

What to do:

• Children need extra drinks and comforting at stressful times
• pain relieve is helpful but seek doctor's advice before giving pain killers to very young children
• elevate the sleeping posture of sufferers may bring some comfort
• keep children home if they are unwell
• Seek medical advice if your child doesn't get better after a day's rest at home. The Doctor may prescribe antibiotics if needed.
• should Grommets be needed, your doctor is the best person for advice. Grommets are ventilation tubes inserted into the eardrum to drain fluid build-up. The ear drum heals well by itself and will usually push the grommets out within 6-12 months.

REFERENCES:

Department of Human Services Victoria, July 2006.

This is an information only site. Please see your Doctor concerning any health problems.

The following Australian contacts may be helpful:

Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100

Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024

24 hour Maternal & Child Health Telephone Service: 13 22 29

For other health related issues such as the Flu, view Better Health Channel.