What Can Cause An Ear Infection

How To Help Prevent Ear Infections

While most children get ear infections, there are a few things parents can do to try to prevent them:

• Breast feeding infants until at least age 6 months may help to lessen the number of ear infections.
• Keep your child away from cigarette smoke. Do not smoke or allow smoking in your home or car.
• Always hold your baby with his head up during feeding time . Babies should not be fed by propping the bottle or while lying flat.The formula can get into the middle ear and cause an infection.
• Do notleave a bottle in the crib for the baby to drink at bedtime.
• Make sure your childs immunizations are up to date.
• If your child is diagnosed with acute otitis media, avoid giving him a pacifier.Dress your child properly in cold and rainy weather.

What Are The Harms Of Fluid Buildup In Your Ears Or Repeated Or Ongoing Ear Infections

Most ear infections dont cause long-term problems, but when they do happen, complications can include:

• Loss of hearing: Some mild, temporary hearing loss usually occurs during an ear infection. Ongoing infections, infections that repeatedly occur, damage to internal structures in the ear from a buildup of fluid can cause more significant hearing loss.
• Delayed speech and language development: Children need to hear to learn language and develop speech. Muffled hearing for any length of time or loss of hearing can significantly delay or hamper development.
• Tear in the eardrum: A tear can develop in the eardrum from pressure from the long-lasting presence of fluid in the middle ear. About 5% to 10% of children with an ear infection develop a small tear in their eardrum. If the tear doesnt heal on its own, surgery may be needed. If you have drainage/discharge from your ear, do not place anything into your ear canal. Doing so can be dangerous if there is an accident with the item touching the ear drum.
• Spread of the infection: Infection that doesnt go away on its own, is untreated or is not fully resolved with treatment may spread beyond the ear. Infection can damage the nearby mastoid bone . On rare occasions, infection can spread to the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord and cause meningitis.

Ear Infection Symptoms: Babies

Ear infections arenât always apparent in babies and children who are too young to describe their pain. They may signify ear pain by pulling on or fussing with their ear. They may just be irritable, or not eating or sleeping well. Babies sometimes refuse to drink from a bottle because swallowing hurts their ears. Ear infection symptoms in babies may include:

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What Are The Best Headphones With Volume Control

So weve established that volume control is key, but if you have a job where you just cant get away from using headphones all day, you can at least set yourself up to do the least damage possible to your ears. Notably, some studies have found that hearing devices with noise-cancellation features allow individuals to listen at lower volumes, since background noise is muted, says Kozin. Active noise-canceling headphones can use technology to either block out sounds similar to the way earplugs would, or process out sound waves from outside noise.

Amazon

Sonys WH-1000XM4 headphones are the king of this latter method of noise cancellation, featuring two microphones on each earcup that capture ambient sound and balance your noise levels in real time, adjusting to a range of environments. The additional microphones also means more isolated, crisper sound while talking on the phone, and an overall reduction of loud high-frequency sounds that might be more damaging. If youre looking for the most adaptive sound control on the market, these headphones are the way to go.

PuroPro

Amazon

The Causes Of Ear Infections

There are many different types of ear infections. Some are caused by bacteria, while others are caused by viruses or fungi.

The most common cause is bacteria that live in the nose and throat. These bacteria may travel down the Eustachian tube and infect the middle ear, causing an ear infection.

Ear infections that occur in children are usually due to a virus and not bacteria. Viral ear infections can be caused by the same viruses that cause colds and other respiratory illnesses in kids. Ear infections also can be caused by viruses that normally affect adults but have been found to cause ear infections in children as well, such as Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus .

The symptoms of ear infectionsThe symptoms of ear infections include pain, itching, swelling, and discharge from the ear canal. Ear infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses, and theyre more common in children than adults.A doctor should be consulted if your child has any of these symptoms:Ear pain with fever Nausea or vomitingRedness or swelling in the ear canalPain when chewing food on one side of the mouth

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How To Prevent Ear Infections

What can kids do to prevent ear infections? You can avoid places where people are smoking, for one. Cigarette smoke can keep your eustachian tubes from working properly.

You also can try not to catch colds. These steps can help:

• Stay away from people who have colds, if possible.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Try not to touch your nose and eyes.

Good luck staying clear of colds and keeping those pesky germs out of your ears!

Medical Treatment In Children

Doctors often take a wait-and-see approach when treating ear infections in children to avoid over-prescribing antibiotics, which can lead to antibiotic resistance.

A doctor may sometimes write you a prescription for antibiotics if symptoms are severe or dont resolve within 2 to 3 days. Alternatively, they may write you a prescription but recommend waiting first to see if your childs symptoms get better after 2 to 3 days.

Its important to finish your entire prescription. Often, a 7- or 10-day prescription of amoxicillin is prescribed.

You shouldnt give children aspirin without their doctors instruction. Aspirin is a preventable risk factor for developing Reyes syndrome, a rare disorder that causes brain and liver damage.

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Is It Safe To Fly With An Ear Infection

The question Is It Safe to Fly with An Ear Infection almost occurs in everybodys mind who have an ear or sinus infection.

If possible, its best to avoid flying if you have an ear infection or Flying with An Ear Infection Child. These block the Eustachian tubes, placing additional pressure on the eardrum.

Whenever it is continual, increased pressure on the eardrum, it may cause ear rupture.

While flying with an ear infection doesnt always result in a ruptured eardrum, but it can be very painful and uncomfortable.

Ear Infection Home Remedies

There are some home remedies to help your childâs ear pain. Ear drops can bring relief, but these should not be used without checking with your childâs doctor first. Over-the-counter pain and fever medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are used. However, you should never give aspirin to children. Warm washcloths applied to the outside of the ear may be helpful in reliving some pain. Gargling with salt water may help soothe an aggravated throat and possibly clear the Eustachian tubes. A few drops of warmed olive oil in the ears may soothe ear pain, but it is suggested to speak with your childâs doctor beforehand.

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Virtual Appointment With Your Primary Care Doctor

You can also schedule a virtual appointment with the doctor that usually cares for you or your child. Theyll have the best information about your familys health and what treatments may be appropriate. If necessary, your childs primary care doctor can prescribe antibiotics and recommend additional treatments.

Keep in mind that if its only been a couple days since the ear infection started, you may not get a prescription for antibiotics. Your doctor will likely recommend treating the ear infection with OTC pain relievers and scheduling another appointment after a week or so. Its also possible that the doctor may want to see you or your child in person.

Sore Throats And Ear Infections In Children

Experts say that the anatomy and physiology of young childrens ears make them vulnerable to infection. The ear has three parts: the inner ear, the outer ear, and the middle ear. For infants and toddlers, the tube that leads from the nose to the middle ear, the Eustachian Tube, is different compared to an older child or an adult. This tube is horizontal, wider, and shorter in children. The shape of the Eustachian Tube in children makes it easier for germs to travel into the middle ear. When the tube is blocked, as is typical from the congestion of a cold or flu, the fluid that normally drains from the middle ear cannot exit. Bacteria or a virus can incubate in this build up, ultimately leading to an ear infection. The fluid that pushes on the eardrum is what causes ear pain. The younger a child is when he had his first ear infection, the more likely he will have repeated infections in the future. In general, more boys get ear infections than girls do.

Here are some symptoms to watch for in your children regarding sore throats and ear infections:

• Pain and tugging on the ears.
• Head shaking, especially when coupled with a fever.
• Problems sleeping .
• In addition, since sucking and swallowing are painful when a sore throat is present, your child may have trouble eating.
• In infants, sometimes irritability may be the only clue. Frequent crying and nasal discharge are also clues to look for when trying to diagnose a sore throat or ear infection in babies.

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How Is A Fungal Ear Infection Diagnosed

It youve just come back from SCUBA diving in Hawaii, your doctor may well suspect a fungal cause for your ear infection. Otherwise, because a fungal infection looks just like an infection from germs , its unlikely to be the first thing your doctor thinks of. Most likely, a fungal infection will only be suspected if your infection does not improve with antibiotic drops prescribed for a bacterial infection.

Home Remedies For An Ear Infection

If you or your child has a typical ear infection without severe symptoms, you might try some of these home remedies:

• Pain relievers. A dose of over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce the pain and fever.
• Compresses. Whether you prefer a warm compress or an ice pack, this method is safe for children and adults. You can even alternate them if doing so helps you feel better.
• A change in sleeping position. Try putting extra pillows under your head to help your ear drain when you go to sleep at night.
• Distraction. If your child is really fussy, try a distraction technique to take their mind off their painful ear. A favorite toy, snack, or game might do the trick.

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Prevention Of Fungal Infection In Ear

Prevention of fungal infection in ear includes:

• Washing the ear canal with warm, soapy water.
• Keeping the ear canal clean.
• Avoiding swimming in warm, humid environments.
• Try to avoid swimming in hot tubs and pools.
• Stay away from the exposure to water that has been in the sun for a long time.
• Do not share ear buds or headphones.
• Avoid using cotton buds.

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How Can I Prevent My Child From Getting An Ear Infection

• Wash your childs hands and your own often to keep germs away.
• If possible, breastfeed your baby.
• Avoid bottle-feeding your baby when they are lying down. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
• Transition your baby from a bottle to a cup by 1 year of age.
• Dont smoke, and keep your child away from any second-hand smoke. Exposure to smoke can increase the risk of ear infections.
• Ensure your child gets the pneumococcal vaccine .
• Ensure your child gets a flu shot every year.
• If your child has had many ear infections, try reducing the use of pacifiers . Using a pacifier may increase the risk of repeated ear infections.

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When Should I Call The Doctor About An Ear Infection

• You or your child develops a stiff neck.
• Your child acts sluggish, looks or acts very sick, or does not stop crying despite all efforts.
• Your childs walk is not steady he or she is physically very weak.
• You or your childs ear pain is severe.
• You or your child has a fever over 104° F .
• Your child is showing signs of weakness in their face .
• You see bloody or pus-filled fluid draining from the ear.

• The fever remains or comes back more than 48 hours after starting an antibiotic.
• Ear pain is not better after three days of taking an antibiotic.
• Ear pain is severe.
• You have any questions or concerns.

Sweating Can Actually Fight Off Infection And Illness

May 04, 2013 · Antibiotic in Sweat Found to Fend off Bacteria. According to researchers from across Europe, a protein found on human skin and activated when we sweat is able to kill harmful microbes and even fight those that are resistant to traditional antibiotics. Known as Dermcidin, the protein becomes active when it encounters slightly acidic and salty

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Ear Infection Symptoms Treatment

Middle ear infection is a bacterial or viral infection that may cause earache, temporary hearing loss, and fluid discharge.

Middle ear infections occur mainly in early childhood, although older children and adults also get these kinds of infection. It is estimated that one in four children will develop an acute ear infection before they turn 5 years of age. Children should always be taken to a doctor if they have earache.

Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection

Damaged teeth are ideal environments for bacterial growth. The dentin of each tooth contains microscopic tubules that enter its pulp and nerve, which are hospitable to bad anaerobic bacteria., Root canals are especially susceptible because immune cells cannot enter the dead tooth to destroy the bacteria. Mold, fungus, bacteria, and viruses that infect the tooth can move into the bloodstream at a constant rate. The following are early signs that a root canal may be leaking bacteria into the blood:

• Periodontitis
• Gum or cheek inflammation

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What Does The Doctor Do

The doctor will look into your ear with a special flashlight called an otoscope . With the otoscope, the doctor can see your eardrum, the thin membrane between your outer and middle ear.

The doctor may use the otoscope to blow a little puff of air in your ear. Why? To see if the air causes your eardrum to move the way a healthy eardrum does. An infected eardrum won’t move as it should because the pus presses against it and may make it bulge. An infection also can make the eardrum red.

If you have an ear infection, the doctor will make a decision about what to do next. He or she might ask your parent to watch you over the next day or two to see if you get any better. The doctor also might suggest a pain reliever to keep you comfortable.

If bacteria are causing the problem, the doctor might prescribe a medicine called an antibiotic , which usually clears up a bacterial infection, so you’ll feel better in a few days.

If you are given an antibiotic, it’s very important to keep taking the medicine for as many days as the doctor instructs even if your ear stops hurting. If you don’t take all the medicine, the infection could come back and your ear will start hurting again.

A kid who has chronic, or frequent, ear infections might need a few other tests. They include an audiogram , which tests your hearing, and a tympanogram , a machine that checks whether your eardrum moves normally.

What Is Recurring Strep Throat

Strep throat that isnt cured after just one round of antibiotics or occurs several times each year can be deemed as recurring strep throat. Someone who develops strep throat again and again can also have a strep throat that recurs.

Experts now know that strep throat that recurs can be due to one of more than one factors. In some cases, you contract bacteria in resistant form or the antibiotic failed for certain reason. It is also possible that you have a weak immune system or you or a family member of you is a strep carrier.

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Five Steps To Prevent Your Ears From Earache

1. Turn it down you must set up your volume limits, dont operate your listening device above 60 percent volume. When using earphones while sleeping put your volume at a 30 percent level.

2. Turn it offHearing damage occurs at loud volumes for long periods of times.it is always suggested by doctors to use the 60/60 rule which means using earphones at 60 percent volume for 60 minutes, then take a break for 30 minutes or more to allow your ears to rest and recover.

3. Choose over-the-ear headphones over earbudsEarphones can be up to 9 dB louder than over-the-ear headphones. Moreover, earphones can feel pain in the outer ear if used for long hours, Whereas headphones cover your whole outer ear with soft padding.

4. Choose noise-canceling headphones it is an important feature for the hearing devices if you use then in noisy environments, like busy city streets, while traveling in trains.

5. Its all about that bassIf youre a big fan of the deep vibration and extra bass effect of music, use the equalizer on your device to turn up the bass. Even by turning down the volume, youll still get the feeling that pleases you.