Otitis in the child: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
The otitis or earache caused by the inflammation of auditory canal, it is one of the most frequent diseases in children under three years of age; although it is necessary to know what symptoms it has and what treatment to try to solve it as best as possible.
There is no doubt that, during the winterIt tends to be very common for children to get sick more easily than during the rest of the year, mainly due to the large number of cases of flu and colds that occurs during this cold season.
In this sense, there is no doubt that otitis in children is usually one of the most common direct consequences of many colds and flu.
Taking into account that otitis is the ear inflammation itself, it can be internal, external or media depending on whether it affects the inner, outer and middle ear, respectively.
What is otitis?
Otitis is basically inflammation of the ear. In most cases, this inflammation is due to an infection of the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, the ear infection is highly related to otitis.
These infections are due mainly to the presence of viruses or bacteria, which enter the body through the nose or mouth.
It affects especially children, because precisely in those places where there are many children together the germs tend to spread more easily, as for example is the case of daycare or school.
But not only respiratory infections tend to produce infections and inflammation of the ears. Also allergies or certain air pollutants (such as cigarette smoke) can cause them.
Why in winter do more cases of childhood otitis occur?
The otitis is the inflammation of the ear, becoming generally one of the most common and common causes of flu Y colds, especially during the months of winter.
Therefore, young children between three months and three years, tend to be the most likely to be at risk of suffering a infantile otitis, fundamentally due to the different complications of a cold or flu.
Symptoms of otitis in children
Normally children who have otitis will put their hands to the ears as a cause of the pain, they will feel uncomfortable, affecting the dream, to appetite, possibly with fever Y sickness, and a loss of hearing ability.
In fact, we can make a brief summary of the most common and usual symptoms of childhood otitis:
- Earache (tends to increase when the child chews).
- Itching and sensation of having the ear plugged.
- It is usually accompanied by fever.
- Appearance of swollen glands around the auricle and at neck level.
- Hearing loss.
- Shaking chills.
- Vomiting and stomach pain may occur.
What are your causes?
One of the most common causes is the previous infection by catarrh originated in the throat that causes the accumulation of mucus especially in the area of the nose ..
The infection of the ear will cause a sum of pus and fluids that will oppress the eardrum causing pain and lack of hearing. Otitis usually appears in the coldest months, which causes severe discomfort and uncomfortable pain.
How is the treatment?
A doctor will be in charge of performing the necessary examination of the ears, throat and nose for further diagnosis. The antibiotics and inflammatory they are the most effective methods for the cure, and even analgesic drops will be necessary and effective to help calm the symptoms.
In any case, before the appearance of the first symptoms of otitis, it is advisable to always go to the pediatrician, who will observe the ear of the child with the otoscope.
Then he treatment of otitis It will generally consist in the prescription of analgesics and anti-inflammatories, which can be applied in the form of drops or orally.
Can childhood otitis be prevented?
Although the infantile otitis It can be a direct consequence of a cold or flu, it is true that you can adopt in the child a series of preventive measures that can help you at the time of prevent otitis. You should avoid the use of cotton buds and swabs.
In this sense, it is essential that you dry the ear pavilion very well after each bath, tilting your head to one side and then to the other (it will help your small ears to expel water more easily).
It is convenient that, during the winter, every time the child goes outside, wear earmuffs or a hat that covers his ears completely.
It is also essential that you watch that your child does not put materials in their ears, as they contain germs that may remain in their ears. This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Pediatrician. We advise you to consult your trusted pediatrician. ThemesDiseases in babies and children
