Ear Infections in Children
In most cases, ear infections in children are caused by a build up or bacteria and fluid all around the eardrum. Normally, all of this fluid would leave very quickly flowing through what is known as the Eustachian tube, during swallows or yawns. However, in a situation where the Eustachian tube seems to be blocked which often occurs during the time that you have a sinus infection or cold and during allergy season when the fluid has a tendency of getting lodged within the inner ear.
Bacteria only grows in warm, dark, wet places, so as the ear becomes infected and as time passes and the infection gets worse, so will the swelling around and in the eardrum, which results in a lot of pain, then with a fighting effort to fight off the infection, a fever beings to develop. Ear infections in babies are more common because their Eustachian tubes are very short which renders them to be more prone to developing ear infections.
As you already know, babies aren't able to tell you that they are experiencing pain, but your baby crying a little more often than usually should be the warning to alert you that something isn't going right. Some of the other symptoms that are signs of ear infections in babies are refusal to eat, grumpiness and a fever which is a big tell tale sign. Remember, it is always more likely for an ear infection to develop right after a cold.
Even though babies are often known to tug at their ear for absolutely no reason at all, other than the mere fact that they are present, if you ever notice any pulling of the ear during the time that your child is crying hard, there is a good possibility that your child has an ear infection. Some of the other signs that are known to warrant an investigation include foul smelling flowing from the ear, diarrhea and yellowish or white fluid draining out of the ear.
Even though this is very rare in babies, it could occur. At any time, when you notice any of these signs, you should carry your child to see the doctor for a course of treatment and proper diagnosis. Some of the recent studies that have been conducted have shown that most ear infections, when present in children, will clear completely up without any treatment at all. However, it is very important that you allow your doctor to check it out and nine times out of ten, he will prescribe an antibiotic and maybe suggest giving your little one some ibuprofen or acetaminophen in order to relieve the pain.
Once your child has been prescribed this medication it is important that the child takes the medication to complete the course of the antibiotics which is normally around a week or two.
