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8 Telltale Ear Infection Symptoms You Need to Look out for in Your Child

8 Telltale Ear Infection Symptoms You Need to Look out for in Your Child

Last updated on 28 Sep, 2022

Is it an area of concern that your child developing an ear infection? If so, keep reading about the eight ear infection symptoms.

Being the parent of a young child, you have an excellent chance to help your child get through an ear infection at least once in early life.

According to the NIDCD (National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders), the leading cause of frequent visits to the doctor among parents having young children is an ear infection. About 83% of children experience an ear infection by turning 3, which is 5 out of 6 children. 

How do children get an ear infection?

ear infection in children

An ear consists of the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. A narrow tube joins the middle ear and the back of the nose, called the eustachian tube. If your child gets a cold, allergy, sore throat, or nose infection, bacteria can infect the middle ear through the eustachian tube. Fluids can build up in the back of the eardrum and cause a middle ear infection. This type of middle ear infection is called acute otitis media.

After recovering from acute otitis media, fluids remain in the eustachian tube causing other kinds of ear infections. This kind of ear infection is called otitis media with effusion. In this condition, very few symptoms come into vision except the fluid, such as mild hearing loss. One does not feel any pain or any other signs. Most time, such infections vanish on their own after a few months and recover all the ear health debts.

Ear infection symptoms in children

To prevent ear infections from taking a toll on your child's health, try to spot ear infection symptoms as early as possible. It will allow you to get your child the proper medical care to clear up the infection sooner than later.

Here are eight telltale ear infection symptoms parents should be careful of when it comes to a young child.

1. When Your Child Tells That Their Ear Hurts

Did your child ever tell you that they are experiencing pain in one of their ears? There can be a reason that they may get hurt while playing with friends or by some toys by themselves. 

One of the most common ear infection symptoms includes ear pain. Bacteria can enter a child's ear and cause inflammation as fluid builds up behind their eardrums. That pain doesn't go away quickly. Visiting your child's doctor regularly for a checkup is an excellent way to stay updated about your child's health. Also, when they experience any pain in their ear, take them to the doctor. Medications will help your child to heal from such pain or injury. 

2. They're Always Tugging at Their Ear

A young child who can barely speak will not be able to express their feelings. If they feel any pain or irritation, they will cry. Your duty as parents is to notice how they feel by seeing their behavior. Your child's behavior will tell you if they are going through any pain or not. They might have an ear infection. 

You may notice your child tug at their ears very often, possibly due to an ear infection. If such behavior continues for days, it might be time to visit a doctor. 

3. They're Crying or Fussy

Babies usually cry for many reasons, and it is normal. When it exceeds usual, it is a matter of concern. Many times children cry or get fussy due to an ear infection. Of course, there are other reasons that the baby can cry. 

If your baby does not stop crying, no matter what you do, you must visit a doctor to know the depth of the issue. 

4. They're Having a Hard Time Sleeping

It can be difficult for your child to sleep on either side of the body while having an ear infection. It will disturb them from having a comfortable sleep. If this continues, check whether they are bothered by their ears. If this is the issue, then it can be an ear infection. Quickly make an appointment with your child's doctor and address the concern. 

5. They Have a High Fever

High fever is one of the ear infection symptoms that your child might get very often. You can keep a thermometer to check whether your baby or young kids have a high fever. 

Young children often get a hike in their body temperature due to an ear infection. If you notice a temperature rise in your child, seek medical treatment.

6. If Fluid Coming Out of Their Ear

When you spot fluid coming out from your child's ear, it is one of the severe ear infection symptoms. It can happen if you cannot address the early symptoms. In such a scenario, visit a doctor as early as possible to get treated. 

Try to catch the symptoms early, so they do not reach a peak. However, in some cases, it is tough to identify the symptoms in the starting phase.  

7. They're Struggling to Stay Balanced

The inner ear of a person is somehow responsible for keeping them balanced. If there is an issue in the inner ear, it might impact the balance of the body. 

When your child has an inner ear infection, they might have difficulty keeping them upright and balanced. If you notice such things, take them to the doctor so that they do not get hurt themselves due to their inability to balance. 

8. They Have Trouble Hearing

Ear infections can cause trouble hearing. You may notice that your child does not respond to what you say. Sometimes they may get bothered by quiet sounds, which is not normal. 

When the ear is infected, pressure builds up inside the ear, leading to difficulty hearing well. So, if you notice such a hearing issue, visit your child's doctor and discuss the matter.

Notice Ear Infection Symptoms At All Times In Your Child

It is not necessary that your child will get an ear infection in their childhood. Many children do not experience such issues. But many of them suffer from an ear infections. As parents of young children, taking the proper precaution will help minimize the infection risk. 

Keep an eye on your child and notice their behavior and response to things around them. Look closely at the mentioned ear infections symptoms to see if they have an ear infection. If you can identify an ear infection early, you can limit the chance of getting in worse condition. 

Always be open to learning new things about your child's health. You may lower the risks of ear infections with proper information about them. When your child plays with an ear-infected child, you may wonder if ear infections are contagious or not. Ear infections are not contagious, and it is not a dangerous health condition to worry about. However, it is important to consult a doctor in case of symptoms. 

Do you forget about your health in growing your child?

Your well-being is also crucial in bringing up your children. When you stay healthy, you can take care of your children. Often parents go through mental issues like stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc., thinking of their children. It is obvious to have a concern. Treating such issues will help you stay healthy and focus on your children's health. To get relief from such matters, parents can administer Nootropics. With a healthy and sound mind, parents can be confident in caring for their children. Nootropics such as Modalert 200 mg can help solve parents' mental health issues. The off-label use of Modalert helps to treat mental health issues. It localizes working on the brain's hypothalamus region and regulates the neurotransmitters. Thereby it helps to treat mental health issues.

Modalert 200 mg is available online. However, you can buy genuine Modalert 200 mg from HealthMatter. HealthMater provides genuine Nootropics at the best price. Customers can also anticipate numerous discounts with assured delivery.


FAQ's

Ear infections are not a severe health issue; they usually go away within three days or a week. If this continues for more than a week, then seek medical attention. If you wish to visit a doctor early, you can as soon as you notice any symptoms.

Children are more likely to have an ear infection. Adults and other aged people can also have an ear infection, but the maximum cases are in young children only.

There are three main ear infections: inner ear infections or acute otitis media, middle ear infection or otitis media with effusion, and outer ear infection or otitis externa, known as swimmer's ear.

Ear infections usually stay for three days to one week. If it exceeds and the body temperature rises above 100.4 degrees, it can be a severe sign of ear infection. In this situation, visit the doctor immediately for medical help.

For children older than 12 months, gently pull the outer ear up and back. If you do this process before your baby turns 12 months, it will straighten the ear canal to see inside.


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