Earache

The main reason for earache being a common ailment in babies and young children is the anatomy of the ear.

Think of the ear as two sections separated by a membrane, the ear drum. The first section is a passage leading from the opening of the ear to the ear drum. This is the auditory canal. The second section, behind the ear drum, is the middle ear. Inflammation of the outer ear is called otitis externa; inflammation of the middle ear is called otitis media. The Eustachian tubes, which are rather short and wide in young children, link the middle ear to the back of the throat. The purpose of the tubes is to equalize pressure in the ears, but they are often the source of ear problems in young children.

Otitis media is the most common ear ailment both because of the construction of the Eustachian tubes and because babies spend most of their time lying down. The combination of these two factors makes it much easier for bacteria to travel from the nose and throat straight to the middle ear. Inflammation of the mucus membrane of the Eustachian tubes causes them to become blocked. This traps the bacteria in the middle ear, where they multiply. Obviously, no young child can tell you he has earache, but if he has inexplicable fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite, and if he pulls at his ear, you'd be right to suspect earache.

What to do

Seek medical advice if you suspect your child has earache. He will need to be examined to confirm the diagnosis and, if the cause is otitis media, your doctor may recommend oral decongestants, such as antihistamine, paracetamol for the pain, and possibly nasal drops to clear the upper airways. If the pain has gone on for more than 24 hours you child may need antibiotics.

Never, ever put anything into your baby's ears, and don't apply hot compresses to the outside of the ear. Similarly, if the cause of the earache is a boil, or something else in the outer ear, don't treat it yourself. Seek medical advice.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 03.11.2010

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