How to treat your toddler's ear infection
There are a lot of old wives’ tales around remedies for ear infections – but they could do more harm than good. Here, a GP explains what to do for your little one.
When it comes to home remedies for ear infections, Dr Diana Griffiths, a GP at Intercare Blaauwberg, has seen them all. Unfortunately, all they do is delay your child getting the care they need.
What causes an ear infection?
“Ear infections are usually a result of a superimposed bacterial infection following a viral upper respiratory infection,” says Dr Griffiths. “You get middle ear infections and external ear infections and it’s important to know which one you’re dealing with because that affects the treatment.” She says people can get ear infections at any age – from new-born babies to adults. They’re not contagious; instead, they are usually the result of an upper-respiratory tract infection that has spread to the ear.
How to diagnose an ear infection
While older children will usually complain of pain or discomfort in their ears, it’s a bit trickier with babies and toddlers, who aren’t able to verbalise what they’re feeling. Dr Griffiths checks ears routinely at every consultation. At home, you can look out for fever – especially with no accompanying symptoms, such as runny nose – as well as refusing to eat, and ear-tugging.
Other symptoms may include:
- Discharge out of the ear
- Nausea and vomiting
- Earache (reported by older children)
- Hearing loss in older children
Treatment that works
“Ear infections will not usually resolve on their own and there are potential complications if you don’t treat it – rupture of the eardrum is one,” cautions Dr Griffiths. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor sooner rather than later and get the right treatment.
“Middle-ear infections are usually treated with an oral antibiotic – usually penicillin, unless the child is allergic; whereas outer-ear infections are treated with antibiotic drops,” explains Dr Griffiths. The course of both drops and oral antibiotics is always patient-specific, but usually seven days. Once the infection has cleared up, the child should experience no more symptoms.
Dr Griffiths gives these tips for managing your tot’s discomfort while they recover:
- Ease the pain: She recommends alternating between paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief.
- Keep the ear open: “Very often parents plug the ear, but you want to dry-mop it.”
- Upright feeding: Sucking while lying down may cause more discomfort.
- Raised pillows: For the same reason, she recommends older toddlers sleep with their heads propped up by pillows, rather than lying flat.
- Keep it dry: “No swimming.” And be careful not to get water in the ear during bath time.
- Avoid AirPods: Older children who play computer games should avoid headsets that go into their ears, she cautions.
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