How To Avoid Otitis In Babies
Earache is perhaps one of the most acute and painful ailments a person can feel. It is the main symptom of otitis, an extremely common infection in the first years of life. We show you some basic care to avoid otitis in babies.
What is otitis?
In the first place, it is pertinent to make clear what we are talking about when we refer to otitis. It is an infection caused by microorganisms in any section of the ear. This produces inflammation that causes severe pain.
Otitis can be classified into two different types:
- Otitis media: affects the middle ear, located behind the eardrum. This condition includes the Eustachian tube and the mastoid. It is very common in early childhood and the cause is usually infectious. It is influenced by factors such as daycare attendance, changes in the weather or exposure to smoke.
- External otitis: in this type of otitis there is inflammation of the external auditory canal. Generally, it is caused by water ingress or trauma to the area, such as improper scratching with cotton buds.
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom is earache. This can be accompanied by the sensation of a blocked, itchy, or even discharge ear.
Other symptoms that may occur are:
- Feeling generally unwell
- Fever.
- Vomiting
- Secretion of fluid from the ear.
- Frequent irritability and inconsolable crying in young children, which can also lead to loss of appetite.
Consequences of otitis
In general, otitis is a minor ailment that can be completely cured without leaving major consequences in the affected person. It is usually treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. It is important that these are always prescribed by professional doctors.
In extreme cases, otitis can leave sequelae. The mildest would be the generation of chronic inflammation or infection.
It could also be a determining factor for future cases of hearing loss. Factors such as the involvement of the mucosa, the ossicles of the ear, and the location and size of the tympanic perforation come into play here.
Tips to avoid otitis in babies
As we mentioned previously, otitis is a very common infection in babies. According to data provided by the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, between 80% and 90% of children suffer from it in their first two years of life.
Therefore, it is advisable to follow these guidelines to prevent otitis in babies and save them a bad time:
- Breastfeeding: recommended, at least, up to the first six months of life. Breast milk is the primary source of defenses for the baby’s body, which will help prevent infections such as otitis, among others.
- Expel mucus: it is a factor almost as important as the previous one. We must teach the baby to blow his nose to avoid sucking in mucus and that it accumulates in the airways and ear canals.
Although less important than the previous two, there are also other preventive measures that we must take into account:
- Be careful with the swabs when cleaning the baby’s ears. Remember that the primary function of ear wax is to protect your ear, even if it sounds strange. In fact, many say that the ideal is not to use the swabs in the first years of life.
- Tilt the baby’s head during the bath. This will prevent water from getting into their ears. This is one of the main causes of otitis, both in children and adults.
- Avoid humid environments and high ambient temperatures, as well as places where there is tobacco smoke.
- Go to the specialist for an ear inspection at the first sign of discomfort in the baby.
Although nothing guarantees avoiding otitis in babies, it is important that you keep track of the times when this condition usually occurs. In this way, you can take the necessary precautions at the right time.
If the earache is bothersome for adults, that we can manifest it and take medication to deal with it, imagine how intense and painful it can be for a baby, who does not have the possibility to tell us what is happening to him.
It is essential, then, that you sharpen your senses and take into account all the above to avoid otitis in babies, one of the most common conditions at this stage of life.
