Ear drum infections, or otitis media, are caused by fluid collecting behind the eardrum and are common in children. Symptoms include pain, fever, and ear pulling. Treatment includes warm compresses, pain relievers, and antibiotics if necessary. Surgery may be required in severe cases.
An infection of the eardrum, also known as otitis media or infectious myringitis, is more commonly referred to as a middle ear infection. It is an infection caused by excess fluid collecting directly behind the eardrum, which can cause the drum itself or the area behind it to become inflamed. Ear drum infection is one of the most common diseases among children, but it is rare in adults. Ear drum infections can be painful, but they’re usually not a cause for alarm. Even children who suffer from chronic ear infections typically outgrow and suffer no permanent damage.
Ear infections almost always follow a cold or other viral infection. The small tubes that connect your ears to your throat can swell during a cold, blocking the tubes and allowing fluid to become trapped behind the eardrum. This trapped fluid quickly becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause the eardrum and the area behind it to become infected. Children are more often affected by this because the tubes between their ears and throat are much smaller than in adults, so it takes much less swelling for the tubes to block.
The most common symptom of an eardrum infection is pain. This can translate into excessive fussiness, crying and ear pulling in infants and toddlers, as well as sleep problems and low-grade fever. Some children handle pain differently than other children, so the only obvious symptom of an eardrum infection may be a sticky yellow fluid oozing from the ears. This occurs when the infection bursts the eardrum and releases fluid, which isn’t as bad as it might seem. When the eardrum bursts, it relieves the pressure and thus reduces the pain the child is experiencing, and the eardrum itself will heal quickly.
An eardrum infection is diagnosed by an examination of the ear using a specialized light to see behind the eardrum and determine if there is any fluid trapped behind it. Most ear infections in infants and young children go away on their own, but the pain can be managed by using warm compresses on the ear and giving over-the-counter pain relievers intended for infants and young children. The doctor, in the absence of any drainage from the ear, might prescribe ear drops that can numb the ear, relieving the patient’s pain. In some cases, especially with chronic ear infections, doctors will prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection. If your child is not responding to antibiotics or the ear infection is affecting his or her hearing, the doctor may perform a simple surgery known as a myringotomy, which involves inserting a small tube inside the eardrum to allow fluid to drain in excess and prevent future fluid accumulation.
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