Infant ear infection is one of the most common reasons children are taken to see the doctor and is especially common in infants up to two years of age. The problem with babies and infants is establishing infection as the cause of discomfort because unlike older children who will tell you their ear is aching, toddlers cannot and parents need to be aware of other tell tale signs. Infant Ear Infections - Pain Is The Biggest Clue Ear aches can come on very quickly and the accompanying symptoms will be pain and usually fever. Pain is obviously the biggest giveaway in toddler infections because make no mistake, they hurt! This is one of the reasons if a child continually pulls on it's ear but appears to be in no discomfort at all that infection is usually ruled out. There could be a host of other reasons why the child is tugging such as teething, curiosity by the child, itching and yes, even habitual. A little like sucking the thumb. But what does an adult with their first child and no relative experience in this area do? The most obvious course of action is to head to the doctor. Ear Infections In Babies It's always been one of the biggest tell tale signs in detecting all is not right with a baby. Crying and a change in mood. The child usually displays a fair amount of irritability and becomes a little fussy. They'll cry more often, usually in short sharp bursts. But how do you know if it's infant ear infection? If the child has had a cold or flu then this is a major catalyst for developing infection. If a fever is also present then a trip to the doctor is the best course of action. What Causes Infant Ear Infection? Fluid buid up around the baby's eardrum accompanied by bacterial build up will lead to infection. The reason the build up occurs is because the Eustachian tube can become blocked. Normally fluid will travel through the Eustachian tube and leave the area but when it becomes trapped in the middle ear, it becomes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. In time, swelling develops around the eardrum followed by pain infection is born. Recovering From Infant Ear Infection There has been varied debate on the best course of action to treat toddler infections. While antibiotics are always an option, some believe over use of them could contribute to high incidence of recurring middle ear problems. There appears to be growing support for treating the problem from a number of angles with a more rounded approach being taken. This includes diet and nutrition, the child's environment and emotional health. Preventing ear infection is not easy in children and you should discuss any preventative measures with your doctor.
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