At some point or another, your toddler might experience an ear infection. Most infections happen to children under the age of 2 and it's the second most common diagnosis in children. As a parent, there are some warning signs to look for to determine if your toddler is having an infection. Keep in mind that most of the symptoms alone could indicate some other illness. Ear infections are usually a combination of symptoms.
Some of the warning signs are:
Obviously, pain, if your child can tell you.
Pulling at the ear. Although ear pulling "may" be an indicator, children have been known to pull their ears because they are curious, or maybe their ears are itchy due to soap or shampoo. Ear pulling could also indicate teething.
Fluid draining from the ear.
If your child got over a sinus infection or a cold.
A reduced appetite. With ear infections, eating for toddlers becomes difficult because it hurts to chew.
Loose stool.
Vomiting.
Fever. You toddler might also develop a fever which in and by itself might not indicate an ear infection, but if you combine this with several of the above symptoms, an infection is possible.
Ear infections hurt no matter how you cut it. Pressure builds in the ear which causes pain, but then subsides. This cycle continues till you get that up and down movement of pain. Lying down also hurt when you have an ear infection and as a result your toddler will sleep less causing him/her to be irritable.
What causes an ear infection?
Bacteria is one of the causes of an ear infection. Fluid, if it's trapped in the eardrum builds up and becomes infected. Normally, fluids escape if it's present in the ear through the body's internal tubes. However, the Eustachian tube can become blocked if your toddler had allergies or a sinus infection resulting in this fluid buildup.
Ear infections are also common in children because the Eustachian tube is short and horizontal. As we grow older, this tube gets much longer and more vertical which makes it hard for fluid to build up.
If you suspect that you child has an infection, call your pediatrician. Depending on the condition of your child, they might have you come in for an office visit.
Your pediatrician might prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection and might also have you purchase an over the counter medication for the pain. A warm towel over the ear can also help alleviate the pain. Keep in mind to finish the entire cycle of antibiotics.
As always, parents should seek professional advice from a doctor when it comes to children's health.
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