Spot the signs of ear infection

Having a sick baby who can’t tell you what’s wrong is distressing. Here’s how to know if earache is to blame.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

Ear infections are quite common, and can often occur after or during a cold or the flu, making them an uncomfortable addition to your and your baby’s life.

The first tell-tale sign that all is not well in your baby’s ear is pretty easy to spot. Your baby will tug or scratch at the ear or ears that are troubling him, so keep an eye out in case this happens. Ear infections and troubles are often accompanied by a fever, so if there’s a session of vigorous ear tugging or scratching going on, take your baby’s temperature.

You’ll probably also note that your child seems to be a little more fussy than usual. Because, very often, the same bacteria that attacks the ear and causes infection can also affect their stomach and related organs, your baby may have a runny tummy.

If you spot any type of discharge or fluid draining from your baby’s ear, this could also be a sign of infection. If your baby seems to be battling to fall asleep while he’s lying down or cries whenever you put him down, it could be due to ear pain. Your child may also experience dizziness, because our ears are involved in keeping us balanced, and he may lose his appetite. His eardrum may burst from the accumulated pressure if left untreated – which sounds terrible but will bring instant pain relief, at least.

CAUSES

Ear infections are caused by bacteria or a virus that enters the ear. The pain your baby experiences is from the fluid that builds up behind the eardrum as a result. Normally, any fluid build-up leaves this area via your baby’s throat, but if his Eustachian tube is blocked or inflamed, this could mean that the fluid builds up and becomes infected. The moment you suspect there is an infection and notice a higher than normal temperature, it’s time to call your doctor for an appointment or head to the baby clinic.

TYPES OF EARACHE

Not all earache is a simple infection. In fact, there are many types of ear problems:

GLUE EAR Fluid builds up behind the eardrum but is not yet infected.

OTITIS EXTERNA An infection of the outer ear, outside of the eardrum.

BLOCKAGE Ear wax can build up from being pushed into the ear by a cotton bud and block the ear.

OTITIS MEDIA This is an infection of the middle ear, which can be incredibly painful to endure. It can be short-lived or much longer lasting, but both types should get medical attention as soon as possible.

TREATMENT

Here’s the good news – almost all earache and infections can be easily treated at home, under the guidance of your doctor or clinic sister. Depending on your baby’s age, you may be prescribed antibiotics and a baby-friendly painkiller.

Babies must never be given aspirin, as this can make them very ill with a disease called Reye’s syndrome – a potentially fatal disorder.

Your baby may suffer a little hearing loss while he is ill, but it should return to normal once he’s better. If your baby is experiencing earache but does not have a fever, you can chat to your pharmacist for some advice, but it’s always better to get an appointment with your doctor or clinic sister to confirm and diagnose a problem.

PREVENTION

Preventing ear infections and earache entirely is probably impossible, but there are certain steps you can take to help lessen the chance of your baby experiencing them:

• Keep your home free of tobacco smoke.

• Don’t bottle feed a baby while he’s lying down.

• Stay up-to-date with your baby’s vaccinations.

• Keep an eye on him while he’s recovering from a cold or flu, as this is when ear infections are most likely to appear.

• Limit dummies to sleep time only, as the continual sucking motion can increase the likelihood of an ear infection. ●