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EAR INFECTIONS

Q:  My child is having too many ear infections.  Should I get tubes put in their ears?

A:  Infection is a common cause of ear pain, but not all ear pain means an infection.  If your child complains of ear pain and does not have an infection, it can also be due to teething, a sore throat, or a blocked Eustachian tube.  If it comes and goes without other symptoms, home treatment may be all your child need.  You can try to get your child to swallow more often, which should help a blocked tube.  Sitting up will relieve ear pain.  Applying heat to the ear also helps, using a warm washcloth.  Tylenol or Advil also works.  Never insert anything into the ear.  If your child gets a fever or the area around the ear starts to swell, or if there is puss or blood draining from the ear, it is time to bring the child in.  If the pain doesn’t quit, it is time to get it checked out.  If they have repeat infections, using tubes in the ears usually works well.

Dr. Rick Casey