You may panic as a parent, but nearly every child comes down with earaches. It is common among adults but more often with youngsters. It occurs when viruses or bacteria infect the area behind your child's eardrum.
Children are less able to fight off bacteria and viruses and also their small ears aren't fully able to drain fluids. However, the question remains- how to treat ear infections? Well, the best thing you can do is seek a doctor's help and here is everything you need to know.
When to See a Doctor for Ear Ache?
Ear infection is most common in children aged between 6 months to 2 years and until age 8. However, it is also common in older children and adults. Wondering how to know if your child has an ear infection? Well, if you see this symptom, then do not hesitate to see a doctor:
- Ear pain
- No appetite
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Blocked ear; trouble hearing
- Feeling pressure in the ear
Signs of an ear infection include:
- Swollen eardrum
- Inflamed eardrum
- Red eardrum
- Yellow, white or brown drainage from the ear
What to Expect from a Doctor?
When it comes to extreme ear pain, it is important to visit a doctor. If neglected, it can not only cause discomfort but also may lead to ear infections. Wondering how the doctor will help? Well, here is what you need to know:
- Upon visiting a doctor for earache, you can expect him/her to ask you about the symptoms you've had. So be prepared with notes or any questions you have.
- Once discussed, the doctor will then take a look at the patient's eardrum using various diagnostic equipments like an otoscope or tympanometer. For instance, an otoscope is a lighted instrument used to view the patient’s eardrum.
- Additionally, a doctor may also run tests like acoustic reflectometry, hearing tests, tympanocentesis, etc.
Consulting a doctor in the early stages of symptoms is highly recommended. Even though ear infections don't cause long-term issues, they are usually related to ongoing ear infections and damage.
Different Treatments for Ear Infections
Once the doctor has checked the condition of the ear using diagnostic tools, now it's time for treatment. Mainly, treatment depends on many factors like the patient's age, severity of the infection, etc. Furthermore, for your better understanding, here are the treatments for ear infections:
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are recommended if the ear infection is being caused by bacteria. However, before prescribing, doctors often wait up to three days to observe if the illness goes away on its own. If severe, your child may need to start taking antibiotics right away. In addition to antibiotics, it is a smart decision to keep diagnostic tools like ear irrigator accessories at home for emergencies.
Drainage
Another way ear infections are treated is drainage with the help of ear tubes. It is called myringotomy and is done when infections keep coming back, causing serious complications. In addition to treating infections, tubes also reduce pain and improve hearing.
Pain-Relieving Medications
To relieve ear pain, healthcare professionals may prescribe OTC or over-the-counter medicines. This includes ibuprofen or acetaminophen as well as pain-relieving ear drops. To know if the patient has a fever, you can keep an ear thermometer at home To check for symptoms.
Natural Remedies
Apart from medications, some natural remedies at home also help to get rid of earaches. Some of the things you can do at home to ease pain with doctor's approval are:
- Soak a washcloth in warm or cool water and put it over the ear aching.
- Apply ginger to the outer ear as it is anti-inflammatory and helps ease pain.
- Apply warm olive oil to your ear canal carefully.
Ease Your Pain With the Right Treatment
At MedGuard, we are a leading supplier of healthcare equipment and tools. From ear thermometers to ear irrigator accessories, we have a wide range of diagnostic equipments and products. To ensure you get accurate results, we offer products only from reliable brands. Besides, our products are tested thoroughly before delivering it to you to make sure they handle all emergencies. For more, you can also talk to our experts and customer support.
Read Relatable blog here: Why Is It Important To Early Detect A Patient’s Health?
