External and otitis media
- Otitis externa: inflammation of the ear canal, often after swimming (swimmer's ear) or trauma with a cotton swab. A characteristic sign is that the pain sharply intensifies when pulling the auricle and pressing on the tragus. Treated mainly with local drops
- Acute otitis media: inflammation behind the eardrum, usually as a complication of a runny nose. The pain is shooting, severe, often at night, with fever and decreased hearing. Pulling on the ear does not make the pain worse
- Exudative otitis: fluid accumulates in the middle ear without pain or temperature. The only sign is hearing loss and congestion. It's easy to miss in children.
Why is it more common in children
The auditory tube, which connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, is shorter, wider and located almost horizontally in children. Therefore, infection from the nose gets into the ear much more easily than in adults. Add frequent ARVI and adenoids blocking the mouth of the tube, and it becomes clear why most children suffer from otitis until they are three years old.
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Adenoids and chronic adenoiditis
- Bottle feeding while lying down
- Passive smoking
- Allergic rhinitis
- Incorrect nose blowing - with both nostrils at once with force
Treatment
The basis of treatment for acute otitis media in children over two years of age without a severe course is pain relief and observation for 48–72 hours: a significant proportion of otitis media resolves without antibiotics. The doctor makes the decision.
- Painkillers and antipyretics in an age-appropriate dose are the main thing in the first day, not drops
- Vasoconstrictor drops in the nose in a short course - restore the patency of the auditory tube
- Antibiotics - for children under two years of age, with bilateral otitis media, severe course, suppuration and no improvement within 48–72 hours
- Ear drops - only as prescribed by a doctor and only after examining the eardrum
- For external otitis - drops with an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory component, toilet of the ear canal
- Paracentesis (incision of the membrane) - with severe pain and bulging membrane, brings quick relief
- For exudative otitis - treatment of the nose and adenoids, for a long course - shunting of the tympanic cavity
If your ear is running
The appearance of discharge from the ear during acute otitis media usually means that the membrane has ruptured and pus has come out. As a rule, the pain subsides sharply - and this is not a reason to assume that everything has passed.
- Не закапывать ничего до осмотра врача.
- Не промывать ухо и не пытаться удалить гной of глубины.
- Прикрыть ухо сухой ватой, менять её по мере промокания.
- Обратиться к ЛОР-врачу в тот же день — потребуется другое лечение и контроль заживления.
- Не мочить ухо при купании до полного заживления перепонки.
Prevention
- Teach your child to blow his nose correctly - one nostril at a time, without effort.
- Treat adenoids and allergic rhinitis
- Feed your baby in a semi-upright position rather than lying down
- Do not clean your ears with cotton swabs - wax will come out on its own
- After bathing, tilt your head to let the water drain out; If you are prone to external otitis, use earplugs
- Do not smoke in the room where the child is
- Vaccination against pneumococcus and influenza reduces the incidence of otitis media
