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Frequent head shaking is a warning sign of middle ear inflammation in children
For parents, it usually sounds dramatic at first when their child is diagnosed with otitis media. But in most cases, the disease heals without complications. Nevertheless, the offspring should be well watched to prevent possible hearing problems.
One of the most common diseases in infants
Many children fall ill at least once before the age of three years of acute otitis media (acute otitis media). This is usually associated with symptoms such as severe earache, fever, vomiting and hearing loss. Infants, however, often can not yet associate pain. Parents should therefore watch their offspring well.
If small children rub their ears, often touch the head or shake it often, this may be evidence of a middle ear infection. Parents should therefore watch their offspring closely. (Image: Robert Kneschke / fotolia.com) With frequent head shaking parents should think of a middle ear inflammation
As the Institute for Efficiency and Quality in Health Care (IQWiG) reports on its patient information portal, it may well be that the offspring complains of abdominal pain, even if his ears actually hurt. And even if toddlers rub their ears or shake their heads more frequently, parents should think of a middle ear infection.
Usually a sick child can only hear badly. In addition, sick children are generally restless, screaming more, have little appetite and sleep worse. "In an acute middle ear infection nightly waking and screaming is very common, because the earache let the little sleep," write the experts on their portal.
Inflammation usually heals quickly
Usually, otitis media heals on its own within two to three days. An analgesic, antipyretic treatment and a lot of attention are usually sufficient. Onion bags and other home remedies for middle ear inflammation can also help to relieve.
Mostly health experts are advised to treat a middle ear infection quickly. If nothing happens, a loss of hearing threatens in the worst case.
Recently, US researchers reported a new antibiotic gel that could make better treatment of otitis media possible in the future.
Complications and sequelae are rare
"Complications and sequelae after an acute otitis media are rare," reports the IQWiG. "Nevertheless, it is important to carefully monitor the discomfort and hearing of a sick child and to treat it as necessary."
Although middle ear infections are usually unavoidable, individual measures may help reduce the risk. According to the experts, children should rarely be given a pacifier and allowed to grow up in a non-smoking environment.
Because it has been known for some time that passive smoking causes frequent infections of the middle ear, as the smoke increases the risk of respiratory and nasopharyngeal infections and weakens the child's immune system. (Ad)