Did you know that ear infections are reported with a prevalence of 90% in children? This means most kids under 10 will have at least one ear infection. This common infliction can be painful for kids, but treatment is quick and easy.
It’s vital to detect ear infections in children as soon as possible, to avoid any potential long-term complications. But how to tell if your child has an ear infection? Especially with really young children, kids aren’t always the best at telling you how they feel and what is wrong with them.
If you’re looking to learn more about the signs of an ear infection in children, read on!
Why Do Children Often Get Ear Infections?
Ear infections are caused by bacteria that get stuck in the tubes in the ears. Kids have smaller ear canals than adults, so they are more likely to be blocked by mucus and fluid. This makes them more susceptible to a child ear infection.
Furthermore, kids often have dirty hands and stick their fingers in their ears. This can result in them pushing bacteria into the ear canal, where it can’t get out.
Ear Infection Symptoms
Young kids can have trouble communicating their symptoms, especially if they’re not verbal yet. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms.
A sore throat is usually part of an ear infection because the bacteria cannot be confined to the ear by the adenoids. This leads to bacteria in the back of the throat, resulting in a sore throat.
If your child is having trouble sleeping, this might be due to an ear infection. An ear infection can be very painful and cause pressure in the head, making it difficult for your child to fall and stay asleep.
If your child is pulling on their ears, they might be trying to relieve some pain. Ear infections can cause severe pain and pressure. In severe cases, they can result in a perforated eardrum. All of this is uncomfortable, and a child will often tug on their ears to try to find relief.
Fever and other symptoms of illness like vomiting or having a poor appetite are also somewhat common due to the infection.
Ear Infection Treatment
Luckily, it’s quite easy to treat an ear infection with a visit with a doctor!
You might consider a pediatric house call from CEC, where our mission is the patient-focused treatment of kids from the comfort of home. This can reduce stress and anxiety in young patients, and lower subsequent infections often picked up from a hospital.
Treatment for an ear infection is usually ear drops sometimes with an oral antibiotic depending on the infection. You might also get a gentle pain reliever to keep your child comfortable.
Now You Know How to Tell if Your Child Has an Ear Infection
Hopefully, this article will have clarified for you the symptoms of an ear infection and how to identify them in your child. You know your child best, so you know when they’re acting strangely. Keep this article on hand so you always have a resource for how to tell if your child has an ear infection.
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