Why ear infections are not uncommon
Yes,
it can happen. Kids these days can get recurrent ear infections. In fact, when
most of the kids catch cold or something, they also end up with ear infections.
The foremost reason behind this is their underdeveloped immune system and as
compared to adults their ears don’t drain well.
Swimmer’s
Ear
An
infection in the outer part of the ear is sometimes referred to as swimmer’s
ear. It happens when ears stay wet for longer periods. But even if your child
doesn’t swim, a small scratch from cotton swab can cause infection. Take
him/her to an ENT specialist when your kid’s ear gets hurt.
Diagnosing
an ear infection
The
only way to know whether your child bears an ear infection is to check with an
ENT doctor. He/she will use a device known as otoscope. It is a minute
flashlight with a magnifying lens for the specialist to look through. A
pinkish-grey color of the eardrum is a healthy sign. An infected looks swollen
and inflamed.
Peeking
into the ear
The
Eustachian tube is a canal that connects your middle ear to the throat. It confines
fluid and air pressure to grow inside the ear. Allergies, cold & flu add up
to irritate the Eustachian tube and cause it to swell up.
Fluid
in the ear
If
the Eustachian tube gets choked, fluid tends to develop inside your kid’s ear.
This makes for an ideal breeding ground viruses which can cause infections.
Using an otoscope, your ENT will blow a puff of air to make eardrum vibrate. If
it doesn’t vibrate as it should, there is a chance of fluid being inside.
Eardrum
burst
If
fluid persists in the ear, chances are that your child’s eardrum will burst. You
may see yellow-brownish fluid draining from the ear. Normally, eardrum heals on
its own in a fortnight. Your child’s will not be affected due to the burst.
Symptoms
of ear infection
The
foremost symptom of infection is acute pain in the ear. Your child may face
problems sleeping. Some of the other symptoms are:
·
Hearing trouble
·
Fever
·
Flowing fluid
·
Dizziness
·
Runny nose
