![]() The use of a nasal decongestant during a cold, influenza, or sinusitis, may also help to prevent a middle ear infection.Here are explanations for some of the more common causes of ear pressure: Change in altitude ![]() Washing hands frequently, not sharing eating and drinking utensils, covering the mouth when sneezing, and getting a seasonal flu vaccination can prevent colds from spreading. Taking precautions to avoid catching a cold or flu will also reduce the risk of developing a middle ear infection. Vaccinations should also be kept up to date. Showing older children how to blow their nose properly from a young age. Keep your home and bedrooms warm and dry.īreast feeding your baby for as long as possible (preferably longer than six months). What can you do to prevent a middle ear infection: If you or your child do not improve over 48 - 72 hours or if any new or worse symptoms develop be sure to see your doctor or ear nurse for review as soon as possible. Never use cotton buds to clean your own or your baby’s ears, or put anything into the ear that has not been prescribed by a doctor or ear nurse as the eardrum is delicate and can be easily damaged. Keeping background noise in the home to a minimum as loud noises may irritate an infected ear. Applying a barrier ointment like vaseline or zinc and castor oil ointment will protect the skin from breaking down. Make sure to wash your hands after.Īlso gently wipe away any discharge from the outer ear with a warm cloth, taking care to wash your hands after. You may also dry mop your ear by rolling a tissue into a thin cigar, gently pushing the soft tip into the ear and remove it with a twisting movement to remove some of the discharge. If this happens you may need to get the infected fluid sucked out by your ear nurse. If you notice a runny discharge from the ear this may mean the eardrum has burst - this is the bodies way of relieving the pain and pressure behind the eardrum. Do not place pillows under your baby’s head instead, place a pillow or two under the mattress. Slightly elevate the bed head to improve sinus drainage. Lying with the affected ear against your pillow. Staying well hydrated to help the body fight fever and infection. Taking over the counter pain relief regularly as prescribed like paracetamol or ibuprofen for relief of pain or fever. Holding a moist warm face cloth or wheat bag against the infected ear for 10 minutes, taking care not to burn the skin. However, ear infection in infants and severe cases will require treatment with antibiotics.Īfter seeing your ear nurse or doctor, self-treatment may help to relieve symptoms, including: Some children has disturbed sleep and may also develop behaviour problemsĮar infections usually clear up on their own, so treatment may begin with managing pain and close monitoring of the condition. Ringing in the ear (tinnitus), sometimes other sounds like the sound of the ocean, echoing, crackling Typical signs and symptoms of a middle ear infection include:įeeling blocked or a feeling of pressure in the earĮarache - can be sharp or dull, constant or intermittentĭischarge from the ear, known as a runny ear ![]() ![]() Most common causes include colds, flu, sinusitis, sore throats, allergies and acid reflux. Sometimes there can be fluid behind the eardrum without infection. Swelling of the airway lining and the Eustachian tube that connects the back of your throat with your middle ear, as well as inflammation of the space behind the eardrum causes fluid to build up.īacteria will often grow in the fluid, causing pain, a blocked feeling and infection. Middle ear infections usually happens with or shortly after a cold or upper airway infection (throat, nose, sinuses).
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