It’s estimated that five out of six children experience an ear infection at least once before they turn three. As a parent, it’s hard to see your child suffer from an ear infection. Ear infections are uncomfortable, causing distress and sleepless nights. Ear infections seem to happen much more frequently in children than adults; why is that?
Why Kids Get Ear Infections Easier Than Adults
The main reason kids get ear infections more frequently than adults do is that their Eustachian tubes are smaller, and therefore easier to block. The Eustachian tubes are canals that connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. Fluid behind the eardrum drains out of the ear through these tubes.
Imagine you’re trying to drink a smoothie through a straw. You’re going to have a much harder time doing so with a thinner straw than you would with a thicker straw. That’s the difference between a child’s Eustachian tubes and an adult’s Eustachian tubes.
Causes of an Ear Infection
Ear infections occur when viruses or bacteria invade the middle ear, causing the Eustachian tubes to swell. This swelling blocks fluid from draining, and in that accumulation of fluid, bacteria thrive. Symptoms include ear pain, a feeling of fullness or stuffiness in the ear and a fever.
Most viruses or bacteria can cause an ear infection if the germs travel to the ear. This includes:
- The common cold
- Flu
- COVID-19
- Upper respiratory infection
To make matters harder, children have less-developed immune systems and are exposed to a multitude of germs daily at places like daycare, school or playgrounds. They are more susceptible to germs than adults, and therefore more susceptible to ear infections.
How to Prevent an Ear Infection in Your Child
- Practice good hygiene with your child. Teach them to wash their hands and blow their nose properly. And remember that they copy what you do; model good hygiene practices in your own life as well.
- Vaccinate. Getting an annual shot decreases their likelihood of coming down with an illness. This could preempt an ear infection.
- Avoid secondhand smoke. Irritants like cigarette smoke and air pollution can cause ear infections.
- Avoid sick people. If you know someone has been sick recently, wait to visit with them until they are completely recovered from their illness so it doesn’t spread to your child. Check in with your child’s school or daycare sick policy, as well, so you can watch for exposure to germs at school.
How to Treat an Ear Infection in Your Child
Many ear infections clear up on their own within a couple of days without medical treatment; however, some at-home remedies can help alleviate the painful symptoms until the infection clears. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol), can reduce inflammation and fever, providing some relief from pain.
If the ear infection lasts several days or keeps recurring, it’s time to call the doctor. They can provide a prescription for antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection or evaluate if your child is a good candidate for ear tubes. Call Midwest ENT Centre today to learn more.