Show I r MEDICALLY C SPEAKING PEATS It By Oy Dr David Evans t Vernal Family Health Center Earaches cause causal treatment There are many many causes of earaches in In children Sore throats and tooth problems can cause a referred pain sensation in the ear Children may feel ear pain from certain certain allergic allergic conditions changes in altitude injuries and other problems The three main mala causes of earache are 1 Extern Swimmers Ear 2 Sero Serous s Media fluid behind the eardrum and 3 Infectious Media infection behind the ear drum Th The d doctor ct r can distinguish between these thelie by looking at the e ear ear r with a special instrument the ope EXTERNAL OnUs This is an infection of the outer ear canal i. i located before the ear drum There is usually some som drainage andia A severe earache Hearing Hearing- is usually normal as the ear drum s has not been perforated This This- his type of ear infection is of often often acqUired from water in the outer ear canal hence lt its name swimmers swimmer's ear Home treatment is us usually lly supportive supportive sup sup- a heating pad to sleep on and warm mineral oil in in n. n the ear canal to ease the e pain pala will usually get the child through the night until he can can an be seen in the theoffice office the following day Aspirin is recommended as as' as asa a a. deterrent I Ifor for the pain Use as prescribed es on the bottle vv SEROUS MEDIA pA This is a buildup of normal middle ear fluid behind the eardrum eardrum ear eardrum drum usually caused by congestion of of the euSt c n tube which drains the middle ear into the throat a The fluid buildup pushes outward p the drums which the e year ear causes pain Hearing is ls is and the may complain of popping j 01 or crackling noises in i bis is ear r. r Temperature is usually normal but may range to degrees grees This condition is is' is u usually associated with a cold audi and tan can an progress to infectious ir s media see below or orto to chronic hearing loss Home care are involves Involves Involves in In- In- In a decongest decongestant ant t in to inadequate inadequate adequate dosages Ac Ac- Actifed Actifed I etc i and aspirin for pain Warm mineral oil in the ear m may y also h help lp relieve pain as might sleeping on a heating pad The decongestant should be continued continued continued con con- for about 10 days to two weeks if earaches persist after this time the child should be seen again He should also be seen if the temperature shoots over degrees or if the ear is draining pus Physician treatment usually involves decongestants for several weeks and frequent repeated visits to watch fO for hearing loss Occasionally a procedure plastic tube placed in the ear drum becomes necessary to clear the middle ear of chronic buildup of fluid INFECTIOUS MEDIA This one involves an infection in the middle ear and may be bethe bethe bethe the result of a cold or from bacteria entering the plugged tube of a serous media see above and setting up an infection in the fluid present in the middle ear This time it is the pus buildup as well as the action of the bacteria on the ear drum itself which causes the pain the pain is quite intense The buildup may perforate the eardrum relieving the pain and drain out onto the earlobe Like any infection the child is usually sick with a fever over degrees and often has an associated cold All children who are suspected S of 01 having infectious media or whose ears ar are draining pus should call the office as soon as possible after onset of 01 symptoms symptoms symptoms toms preferably the next morning Office treatment consists of antibiotics decongestants and occasionally occasionally oc oc- ear drops Since an occasional infectious media may develop into a serous media it may be necessary to follow your childs child's ear infection for several visits The doctor will usually want to see see you for in two weeks MISCELLANEOUS POINTS 1 1 NEVER start antibiotic treatment without specific directions as to type and dose from your pediatrician Most liquid antibiotics outdate after two weeks and should be destroyed they have dangerous side effects 2 Not all that drains from the ear car is an ear infection Normal ear wax may and run from the ear Normal wax is usually yellow orange to reddish reddish red red- dish brown in appearance in a usually well child and is not a cause for concern It does not smell bad Watch for and note any type of drainage 3 All children play with their ears from time to time An infant with an earache usually grabs ears and screams 4 Itchy ears can best be managed with 2 1 drops of warmed mineral oil placed Inthe in inthe inthe the ear canal 5 Do not pick at the ear with anything 6 After any kind of ear car infection infection in in- have your doctor recheck it in 14 10 days Dr Evans will answer questions of of general interest through thi this column If you you have any questions or comments comments comments com com- ments please send them to the Vernal Express |