| Knowing if your child has an ear infection is helpful. | | | | Ear infections hurt no matter how you cut it. Pressure |
| What to do if you think your child has an ear infection. | | | | builds in the ear which causes pain, but then subsides. |
| At some point or another, your toddler might | | | | This cycle continues till you get that up and down |
| experience an ear infection. Most ear infections | | | | movement of pain. Lying down also hurt when you |
| happen to children under the age of 2 and it's the | | | | have an ear infection and as a result your toddler will |
| second most common diagnosis in children. As a | | | | sleep less causing him/her to be irritable. |
| parent, there are some warning signs to look for to | | | | What causes an ear infection? |
| determine if your toddler is having an ear infection. | | | | Bacteria is one of the causes of an ear infection. Fluid, |
| Keep in mind that most of the symptoms alone could | | | | if it's trapped in the eardrum builds up and becomes |
| indicate some other illness. Ear infections are usually a | | | | infected. Normally, fluids escape if it's present in the ear |
| combination of symptoms. | | | | through the body's internal tubes. However, the |
| Some of the warning signs are: | | | | Eustachian tube can become blocked if your toddler |
| Obviously, pain, if your child can tell you. | | | | had allergies or a sinus infection resulting in this fluid |
| Pulling at the ear. Although ear pulling "may" be an | | | | buildup. |
| indicator, children have been known to pull their ears | | | | Ear infections are also common in children because |
| because they are curious, or maybe their ears are | | | | the Eustachian tube is short and horizontal. As we |
| itchy due to soap or shampoo. Ear pulling could also | | | | grow older, this tube gets much longer and more |
| indicate teething. | | | | vertical which makes it hard for fluid to build up. |
| Fluid draining from the ear. | | | | If you suspect that you child has an ear infection, call |
| If your child got over a sinus infection or a cold. | | | | your pediatrician. Depending on the condition of your |
| A reduced appetite. With ear infections, eating for | | | | child, they might have you come in for an office visit. |
| toddlers becomes difficult because it hurts to chew. | | | | Your pediatrician might prescribe antibiotics to get rid of |
| Loose stool. | | | | the infection and might also have you purchase an |
| Vomiting. | | | | over the counter medication for the pain. A warm |
| Fever. You toddler might also develop a fever which in | | | | towel over the ear can also help alleviate the pain. |
| and by itself might not indicate an ear infection, but if | | | | Keep in mind to finish the entire cycle of antibiotics. |
| you combine this with several of the above symptoms, | | | | As always, parents should seek professional advice |
| an ear infection is possible. | | | | from a doctor when it comes to children's health. |