While there are different types of ear infections, the most common is called otitis media, which means an inflammation and infection of the middle ear. The middle ear is located just behind the eardrum.

Causes of Ear Infections

Ear infections are common in infants and children in part because their eustachian tubes become clogged easily. For each ear, a eustachian tube runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat.

Its purpose is to drain fluid and bacteria that normally occurs in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up and become infected.

Anything that causes the eustachian tubes and upper airways to become inflamed or irritated, or cause more fluids to be produced, can lead to a blocked eustachian tube. These include:

• Colds and sinus infections
• Allergies
• Tobacco smoke or other irritants
• Infected or overgrown adenoids
• Excess mucus and saliva produced during teething

Symptoms of Ear Infection

An acute ear infection causes pain. In infants, the clearest sign is often irritability and inconsolable crying. Many infants and children develop a fever or have trouble sleeping.

Parents often think that tugging on the ear is a symptom of an ear infection, but studies have shown that the same number of children going to the doctor tug on the ear whether or not the ear is infected.

Other possible symptoms include:

• Fullness in the ear
• Feeling of general illness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hearing loss in the affected ear
• The child may have symptoms of a cold, or the ear infection may start shortly after having a cold.

Treatment for Ear Infections

The goals for treating ear infections include relieving pain, curing the infection, preventing complications, and preventing recurrent ear infections.

Most ear infections will safely clear up on their own without antibiotics. Often, treating the pain and allowing the body time to heal itself is all that is needed:

• Apply a warm cloth or warm water bottle.
• Use over-the-counter pain relief drops for ears.
• Take over-the counter medications for pain or fever, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
• Use prescription ear drops to relieve pain.

Reference for Ear Infection Article

National Institutes of Health

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