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Which father or mother has never been in doubt and despair of not knowing what their son has? When they still don’t know how to speak, the only way is to cry to say that there is something wrong, but how to find out what it is? How do you know it is, for example, an earache?
Ear pain in children is a problem that is not always identified right away, as it is almost always a recurrent symptom of another health problem such as flu or a throat infection and when they cannot tell where they feel the discomfort and pain, makes diagnosis even more difficult by parents.
The problem is more common in children than in adults, and it can be a constant problem or keep happening as pricks. The pain is very uncomfortable. It may resemble a burning sensation and cause irritability .
Otitis
It may come to one side of the ear or both at once. Ear pain in children or otitis as it is called by pediatricians, is a very common inflammation in childhood, especially up to 3 years of age, which is a phase where they usually suffer several times with the flu, colds and accumulation of phlegm that cause infections.
Causes
The viruses and bacteria in this phlegm, can reach the ear, produce pus and fluids that will pressure the eardrum causing excessive pain, bad smell and in some cases even the temporary hearing loss of the child.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis must be made by a pediatrician through clinical evaluation , where airways , inner ear and throat must be analyzed. Usually symptoms such as itchy ear, strong odor coming out with apparent discharge are signs of possible inflammation and should be reported to the pediatrician as soon as possible.
Symptoms
Difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite are also signs of earache, since the constant pain makes it impossible to lie down, chew, suck and eat in any way. Fever and irritability, besides the child rubbing or putting his hand several times is a sign of discomfort.
Ear Pain Treatment in Children
After consultation and medical evaluation, treatment should be started immediately so that the pain and discomfort are relieved as quickly as possible. Treatment is basically carried out using antibiotics that will fight the presence of infectious bacteria.
The use of painkillers, antipyretics and anti-inflammatories can be part of the treatment that must be followed to the letter on the days requested by the doctor, even if the symptoms disappear before. In addition to the remedies that must be applied directly to the ear region, pain relief methods are also indicated, as is the case with the hot compress.
A cloth soaked in warm water, properly wrung, can be placed over the baby’s or child’s ear, especially before bedtime. Gel pouches can also be used to perform this procedure, which brings immediate relief and relaxes the child.
Food is also very important, since it is through it that the child will remain nourished and hydrated . That is why you should offer a lot of fluids and try to offer more pasty foods that facilitate ingestion since the discomfort makes it difficult to swallow and chew.
Some Recommendations
To take precautions and keep the children away from this disease, avoid letting her feed completely while lying down. Try to keep your head higher than the rest of your body. After bathing, ear hygiene must be carefully performed, mainly to remove the accumulation of water, which facilitates the manifestation of fungi and bacteria that cause ear pain.
See also: Child with Headache – What Can It Be?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.