Causes and consequences
Most often, the pain in the ear appears against the background of a common cold. Through a short and wide horizontally located Eustachian tube, the infection enters the middle ear. Its mucous membrane in children is loose, not smooth, as in adults. It also inhabits harmful microorganisms, causing unpleasant sensations. The baby has enlarged pharyngeal tonsils? Does he suffer from chronic tonsillitis or adenoiditis? This also can cause inflammation in the ear. One of the most common complications after various childhood infectious diseases is the same otitis media. In addition, the age of the child influences the appearance of the disease. For example, in infants, the inflammation of the middle ear is diagnosed particularly often. After all, they are in a horizontal position for a long time. In addition, they are still developing immunity. If the disease is not cured in time, it can lead to a partial loss of hearing, mastoiditis (acute inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone), the development of meningetal syndrome. So if you see that the child's behavior has changed - he rubs his ear, refuses to eat, cries, immediately call a doctor! To treat otitis antibacterial drugs can be used. Until recently, it was believed that they must be prescribed to babies suffering from this disease. But recent studies of scientists have shown that taking antibiotics is necessary only in extreme cases. For example, with purulent otitis, no improvement after the course of treatment, while maintaining acute symptoms (pain, high fever), complication of the disease. In other situations, you can do with sparing procedures and methods. Discuss this with your doctor and make the right decision together.
Quick Actions
As long as the doctor is on the way, do not waste time. Before he comes, you can easily alleviate the child's condition. Begin to act without delay. Does the child have a high fever? This is a typical sign of otitis. Give the little patient an antipyretic: paracetamol, nurofen. Put the crumb into bed. Let him turn on the barrel so that the aching ear is pressed against the pillow and the pain subsides. Even when the baby becomes lighter, do not try to feed him by force. Chewing movements can cause painful sensations. In addition, the extra load associated with digesting food, the child's body now to anything. After all, he must put all his strength to fight the disease. But when you defeat the infection, the appetite will return. If the baby is sick, wear it on your hands, pressing the sick eye to your chest. As soon as unpleasant feelings recede a little, the baby can be taken to the chest and, probably, even he can fall asleep. And then the doctor will arrive in time.
Course of recovery
After a thorough examination, the doctor will diagnose the child. With acute inflammation of the middle ear, in most cases there is enough conservative treatment. The doctor will prescribe special ear drops. However, there is an excellent home remedy, oil or alcohol warming compresses (only note that they can not be used in high temperature and purulent process). It is not difficult to make a compress. The main thing is to observe the proportions when preparing the impregnation and to ensure that the baby does not take off the compresses ahead of time. It is advisable to keep the ear in the heat for about an hour, then arrange a break and repeat the procedure. Take a piece of cotton cloth and cellophane. Wet the cloth with impregnation (camphor or vegetable oil, camphor alcohol or vodka, diluted 1: 1 with water). Put the cloth on the aching tab, cover first with cellophane, then with cotton. Secure it with a kerchief and put on a hat. The eye will warm, and the pain will recede.