Otitis without complications and recurrences

Otitis in a child is a common problem faced by parents. This disease can cause severe pain, hearing loss and other unpleasant symptoms. It is important to recognize the disease in time and treat it correctly in order to avoid complications and repeated cases. In this article, we will consider the causes, symptoms and effective methods of treatment of otitis in a child, as well as share prevention tips.

Contents:

• What is otitis media?
• Causes of Otitis
• Otitis media is a "children's disease"
• How to recognize otitis media?
• Who is at risk
• Otitis, which is repeated
• We are treated correctly
• Complications after otitis
• Otitis prevention
• Care is important!

What is otitis media?

Otitis — inflammation of one of the parts of the ear. There are three types of otitis by localization:

1. external — inflammation of the skin of the external auditory canal (caused by damage to the auricle or auditory canal);
2. middle — inflammation of the tympanic cavity;
3. internal (labyrinthitis) — inflammation of the inner ear: usually this is a complication after untreated otitis media.

Otitis media is the most common in children.

Otitis externa is characterized by periodic pain, swelling of the auricle and a slight increase in body temperature. It is easily diagnosed by external examination.

Otitis media is a complication of the middle ear: a cavity inside the tympanic bone that has one entrance ("hearing tube"). The second bony opening of the middle ear is covered by the tympanic membrane.

Internal otitis (labyrinthitis) is not manifested by acute pain, but by hearing loss and often by dizziness.

Otitis media is a disease that occurs most often in children. About 80% of children under the age of 3 suffer from otitis, and some suffer from this disease repeatedly.

According to the types of otitis media, there are:

• acute - it is caused by viral or bacterial infections;
• exudative — its cause is a blockage of the auditory tube;
• chronic — can last for a long time with short periods of remission.

Causes of Otitis

Most often, otitis appears after the flu or ARVI. It is caused by an infection, which, with a runny nose accompanying the specified diseases, very easily gets into the auditory tube, and from there into the middle ear. After all, ears and nose are combined.

When an infection hits the middle ear, an inflammatory process begins, pus accumulates in the cavity, which presses on the eardrum. It is this that causes a sharp, often stabbing pain in the ear — the most characteristic symptom of otitis.

Also, inflammation of the middle ear can cause trauma. In addition, you can get an infection with dirty water.

Sometimes there is a hematogenous route, when the infection is brought by blood, for example, with pyelonephritis.

If you have never had an earache, know that it is almost impossible to tolerate an earache. And if an adult can urgently go to the doctor himself and explain to him what is the matter, the child's well-being and health depend entirely on the parents.

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Otitis media is a "children's disease"

The human ear works normally only when the pressure in the tympanic cavity is equal to atmospheric pressure. If there is a significant difference, we immediately feel it - remember the stuffiness in the ears when the plane takes off or lands. The correct pressure level in the ear is maintained by a special channel called the Eustachian tube. It connects the pharynx and the tympanic cavity. When we swallow, the Eustachian tube opens and the pressure in the middle ear equalizes.

With colds or crying, mucus collects in the nasal cavity, which can easily get into the Eustachian tube, blocking it. Then the pressure inside the ear cannot be regulated, and the ear reacts to it with inflammation.

Indeed, children suffer from otitis media much more often than adults. And there is an explanation for this.

• The Eustachian tube in children is narrower than in adults, so it is much easier to "block" it.
• Due to unstable immunity, children are more likely to suffer from colds.
• Babies often cry, the resulting mucus accumulates in the nasopharynx and can easily get into the ear.

Source: Shutterstock

How to recognize otitis media?

In order to recognize the disease in time, parents need to be very attentive. For example, the baby's mother should be alerted when a clearly hungry baby, while asking to be sucked, suddenly starts crying, shakes his head, worries, eats and suddenly throws away the breast. The fact is that sucking movements aggravate the baby's ear pain. It also happens that at night the child's temperature rises (usually higher than 38°С, and sometimes up to 40°С), he begins to cry inconsolably, spins his head, may reach for his ear with a pen, rubs it.

There are several actions that will help you recognize otitis in the crumbs and ease his condition before the pediatrician's examination.

• Lightly press your finger on the goatee - if it feels severe pain, the baby will try to avoid mother's hands or cry. So, the baby's ears definitely hurt.
• If there is no discharge from the ear, give the baby a pain reliever, and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
• If there are discharges, see a doctor as soon as possible!

Other symptoms of acute otitis media include:

• temporary hearing loss;
• ear congestion;
• noise in ears;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• high body temperature — up to 39°C;
• general weakness,
• sleep and appetite disturbances.

Source: Shutterstock

Who is at risk

In the risk group are children with weak immunity, babies diagnosed with diabetes, as well as babies on artificial feeding, since they do not receive from mother's milk the antibodies necessary to protect against infections.

Recurrent otitis

Does it mean that if the otitis was once, he will pursue the child constantly? According to statistics, in more than 20% of children, acute otitis media turns into complicated forms or recurs, that is, it recurs after a certain time.

Risk factors for recurrent otitis media:

• positive family history of otitis media;
• dry and hot air in the nursery;
• parents' smoking;
• using a pacifier;
• at least one brother or sister

Source: Shutterstock

We are treated correctly

If you suspect a child of otitis (without discharge from the ear!) and it is not possible to see a doctor right now, give the baby a children's pain reliever.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, you will most likely be prescribed vasoconstrictor drops in the nose, drops in the ear - a solution of antiseptics (for severe pain with an analgesic effect) and, possibly, special antibacterial drugs.

IMPORTANT! If the baby is prescribed a course of antibiotics, it must be finished completely. Do not stop taking the drug, even if the baby feels better. In any case, after providing first aid, you should consult a doctor, even if you think that the baby has become better. Only a specialist during the examination can make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment for the baby.

It is better not to put compresses on the ear when it is swollen, you need dry heat.

It is not necessary to warm the ear before the medical examination! This can complicate diagnosis.

Ensure the correct temperature regime in the baby's room - 20-21° C and optimal humidity and follow all the instructions of the specialist.

Complications after otitis

If otitis is not treated in time, it can turn into a purulent form of the disease. This is very dangerous!

In addition, advanced otitis can take a chronic form. As a complication, it can cause hearing loss or even complete hearing loss or cause meningitis.

In infants, the transition from acute otitis to purulent otitis can occur very quickly. The only way to avoid it: do not delay the trip to the doctor.

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Otitis prevention

As we have already understood, acute respiratory diseases or influenza are the main factor provoking otitis. In order to prevent acute otitis, during a cold or flu in young children, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the nose. Act according to the following scheme.

Drip saline solution into the spout.

For small children, remove mucus from the nose with a special pharmacy aspirator, and teach older children to blow their nose correctly by covering one nostril.

Put vasoconstrictor drops in the nose - this will relieve swelling and the baby will be able to breathe freely.

Important!!! Children's runny nose is treated only with children's drops! Moreover, vasoconstrictor drops cannot be used more than 3-4 times a day, one drop in each nostril.

And so that there are no relapses, it is important not to visit children's groups until full recovery and take care of strengthening the child's immunity and general health.

Care is important!

It is necessary to clean only the auricle and the external auditory canal from sulfur every day. Do not use a cotton swab any further, otherwise you can damage the membrane or push back the accumulated sulfur, which is produced by the sebaceous and sulfur glands in the external auditory canal.

With the help of a gauze swab dipped in boiled water, a cotton ball twisted into a wick, or best of all, children's hygiene sticks with a limiter, pull the baby's auricle back and down, gently remove the sulfur from the external auditory canal in a circular motion.

The skin behind the ears also needs daily care. Carefully unbend the ear and wipe all folds and wrinkles with a cotton swab dipped in warm water. Babies often develop crusts behind their ears. Carefully fry in this place with baby oil.

After bathing, make sure that there is no moisture left in the ears - just carefully wipe the auricle and wet the entrance to the ear.

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Otitis in a child - how to prevent inflammation of the middle ear during a cold

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