Baby
ear infections are common but are usually nothing to worry about. Many young
children will not need antibiotics and can be treated with home remedies, such
as acetaminophen, warm compresses, and drinking more fluids.
This
article looks at when antibiotics might be needed to treat an ear infection in
a baby, and how to treat the symptoms at home while the baby's natural defenses
fight the infection.
Are antibiotics necessary?
Treatment
for an ear infection in a baby will depend on the type and severity. Doctors
may prescribe antibiotic ear drops for some infections, such as acute otitis externa (AOE), but in many cases, the baby's immune
system will fight the infection on its own. Other infections, such as otitis
media with effusion (OME), will usually clear up on their own without any
antibiotics.
As
OME and mild AOE do not usually require treatment, doctors tend to recommend a
period of "watchful waiting" before prescribing antibiotics. This is
because antibiotics can cause side effects.
According
to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),
antibiotics cause diarrhea and vomiting in around 15 percent of children. Up to
5 percent may also have an allergic reaction, which can be serious or life-threatening
in some children.
Within
the first 24 hours, around 60 percent of children
feel better. That figure rises to between 80 and 90 percent of children within
a few days.
If
there is no improvement or the infection gets worse during this time, a doctor
may prescribe antibiotics.
Home and natural remedies
Doctors
usually advise caregivers to watch their child for 2 to 3 days to give the
baby's immune system the chance to fight off the infection without the need for
antibiotics.
During
this time, doctors will probably recommend that caregivers treat the symptoms
of the infection at home. Remedies may include:
Over-the-counter medication. In babies of 6 months or older, caregivers
may consider giving the child acetaminophen to relieve pain or fever. Speak to a doctor before giving any medication to
babies under 3 months of age.
Warm compress. Holding a warm compress to the child's ear may also help
ease the pain.
Fluids.
Giving the child plenty of fluids to drink encourages swallowing, which can
help drain the middle ear and relieve painful pressure.
What are ear infections?
Ear
infections, which can affect the ear canal or the middle ear, are common in
babies. According to a study in Pediatrics, 23
percent of babies in the United States will experience at least one ear
infection by the time they are 12 months old. That figure rises to more than
half by the age of 3 years.
Ear
infections tend to start either with an unhealthful bacterial growth or a viral
infection, such as a common cold.
There
most common types of ear infections in babies are:
Acute otitis externa (AOE). Also known as swimmer's ear, AOE
refers to an infection in the ear canal.
Otitis media. An infection in the middle ear can cause inflammation, leading to a fluid buildup behind the
eardrum. Sometimes, the narrow passageways that connect the middle ear to the
back of the nose, called the Eustachian tubes, can swell.
Otitis media with effusion (OME). This infection occurs when fluid
builds up in the middle ear but does not usually cause pain or fever.
Acute otitis media (AOM). This refers to a fluid buildup in the ear, which typically
results from a bacterial infection.
Babies
and children are more prone to ear infections as their Eustachian passages are
shorter and narrower that than those of adults. This not only makes it easier
for bacteria to reach the middle ear, but it means fluid is more easily
trapped.
Because
babies and children do not have a fully-developed immune system, it can be
harder for them to fight off infections. However, a baby's natural defenses are
usually enough to fight off an ear infection.
Symptoms
One
of the main signs that a baby has an ear infection is the baby tugging or pulling
at their ear. However, the AAP points out that this
action may be a self-soothing reflex in many young children or may simply be
the baby exploring itself.
Other
symptoms to look out for include:
crying
more than usual, particularly when lying down
vomiting
or diarrhea
reduced
appetite
difficulty
sleeping or hearing
fever
or a headache
yellow
or white fluid coming from the ears
an
unpleasant smell coming from the ears.
Source: Medical News Today
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