Remedy For Ear Infections In Kids
Like cold and flu, ear infection is a very common illness among infants and young children. Generally infection affects the middle ear that lies behind the ear drum, called otitis media. Fluids build up and tubes inside the ears get clogged with this fluid and mucus. Some times fluid gets infected. These fluids are mostly drained out by the Eustachian tube into the throat. The fluids can get infected if these tubes stop working or get blocked. It can affect hearing to some extent because sound cannot get through the fluids.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms of ear infection are tugging at ears, fever, the infant crying more than usual, trouble in sleeping, ear drainage, cold and cough, shaking of head and discomfort. Child sometimes has hearing problem also. It is better to visit the pediatrician if child shows these kinds of symptoms.
Causes
Kids are vulnerable to ear infection during 2 to 4 years more frequently due to several reasons:
• Bacteria and viruses easily get into their ear because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and horizontal than adults.
• The tubes get blocked easily because they are narrow and stiff.
• Some other factors that can lead to ear infection in children are exposure to cigarette smoke and bottle feeding.
Effect and Remedy
Ear infection is very common among children, yet it can cause harm if it doesn’t go away easily on its own. Generally pain relievers are recommended by physician. If ignored consistently, frequent infection can cause serious problems. Severe infection can harm the bone in the ear or erode the brain tissue and cause meningitis. That is why doctors prescribe antibiotic when the infection is serious. Some children with frequent infection need surgery. Through surgery, a tube is placed inside the ear to relieve the pressure in the ear and let the child hear properly.
Home Remedies For Ear Infection
Starting home remedies as soon as the child complains of ear ache is beneficial. Steaming is a good way to relieve the child from pain. You can apply few drops of warm olive oil in your kid’s ear. Some ear drops are also available in the market to relieve children from ear ache by clearing the wax. Applying hot water bottle to the ear or giving the child a hot water bath may help in relieving pain.
