Inflammation of the ear canals is a disease that often affects children. Everything happens for the simple reason that in babies the structure of the ear is slightly different than in adults. Children's walkways are wider and shorter. Infection on them moves freely. In this article, we will tell you about how to treat otitis media in a child. You will learn about essential drugs. You can also find out information about additional medications that accelerate recovery.
Otitis in children
If your baby has once suffered an inflammation of the ear, then you can prepare for the fact that this situation will happen again. Experienced mothers already know how to treat otitis media in a child. However, it is still better in each case to contact the ENT specialist. Only a doctor can make a correct and careful examination of the inner ear cavity. Also, a specialist, if necessary, will take the material for research.
Otitis in children is often accompanied by the most unpleasant symptoms. These include: fever, pain, backache, burning and itching in the ear. Often, runny nose becomes an additional sign of illness. With a purulent form of acute otitis media, fluid is released from the ears. It is worth noting that acute otitis media is much more difficult than chronic. However, it is safer in terms of consequences.
Otitis in children: how to treat?
How to fix the problem? See your doctor first. The doctor will carefully examine your clinical picture and conduct an examination. Also, a specialist in prescribing therapy will necessarily take into account the facts of previously existing ear diseases and intolerance to any drugs.
If otitis media occurs in children, how to treat the disease? All funds can be divided into folk and conservative. The latter, in turn, are divided into medicines for oral administration and local use. In especially severe cases, otorhinolaryngologists use surgical skills. It is worth noting that, unlike other specialists, an ENT doctor can perform a small operation on his own. Consider how much to treat otitis media in a child, what drugs should be used.
Antipyretic drugs and pain relievers
If otitis media occurs in children, how can I treat it? The first help you can give your baby is the use of medicines that relieve fever and pain. During acute otitis media, the child feels discomfort in the ear. His hearing decreases, noise appears, and most importantly, the baby feels backache, which cause severe pain. Most of the children begin to sleep poorly, their appetite decreases, they become whiners.
To provide first aid to the baby, give him medicine. These can be drugs based on ibuprofen, paracetamol or analgin. Children over 12 years old can be offered aspirin. The most popular trade names for these products are: Nurofen, Paracetamol, Ibufen, Panadol, Cefecon, Analdim, and many others. Be sure to correctly calculate the dosage of the medicine. It always depends on the age and body weight of the child.
Antibacterial compounds
Not sure how to treat otitis media in a child? Most domestic doctors, when this problem occurs, always prescribe antibacterial therapy. Its effectiveness is considered maximum. However, such drugs have many side effects. And, for example, in Europe they are very wary of them. Foreign doctors often use expectant therapy. If the child does not feel better within three days, then only after that the question of the use of antibiotics is decided.
Of the antibacterial agents, amoxicillin-based formulations are most often prescribed. It can be Flemoxin, Augmentin or Amoxiclav. They are recognized as the most harmless, but effectively cope with otitis media. If the child previously took such medications, but they did not help him, then it is advisable to prescribe cephalosporins antibiotics. These include: Ceftriaxone, Cefatoxime, Suprax, and others. They are quite serious drugs that have proven themselves on the good side in the fight against ear inflammation. Less commonly prescribed are drugs such as Amoxicillin, Sumamed, Clarithromycin, and so on. The duration of the use of drugs can be from three days to several weeks.
Antiviral agents and formulations to enhance immunity
How to treat otitis media in a child? Rarely, but it happens that the disease is caused by a virus. In this case, no antibiotics will help to fix the problem. The child needs antiviral agents. In some cases, they are also prescribed for bacterial damage, since such medications can also increase immunity.
The most popular are compounds with interferon or its inducers. It can be Anaferon, Ergoferon, Viferon, Kipferon or Cycloferon. Doctors often prescribe Isoprinosine, Likopid, and the like. However, they can not be used without the recommendation of a doctor. Before using them, you must always consult a doctor. The duration of the course is determined individually.
Antihistamines and their effectiveness in the treatment of otitis media
We continue to consider how to treat otitis media in a child. In most cases, the inflammatory process begins because the Eustachian tube narrows due to edema. It turns out that the ear simply can not be ventilated. Because of this, the inflammatory process develops. Antihistamines will help relieve swelling. Not all of them are allowed to children of the first year of life. Before use, be sure to read the instructions. Doctors usually use the following remedies: Zirtek, Zodak, Tavegil, Fenistil and others.
It is worth noting that the described drugs will give an effect only in combination with general therapy. They are not able to eliminate otitis media on their own.
Medications for administration to the ears
How to treat otitis media in children? Komarovsky says that the acute inflammatory process in the ear is a reason for the use of drops. They may contain anti-inflammatory, analgesic or antibacterial components. The most commonly recommended remedies are: Otipax, Otinum, Otirelax, and so on. All contain an anesthetic that relieves pain. However, some doctors are wary of such drugs. Doctors say that you can remove the pain syndrome using the drugs described above. Directly for treatment of the ear, it is better to use drops such as Dioxidin, Otof. They have an antibiotic in their composition, which will help to quickly remove the inflammatory process.
It is worth noting that some drops for insertion into the ear canal require undisturbed integrity of the eardrum. If it is damaged, then the use of such funds can lead to rather serious consequences in the future.
Preparations for the treatment of the nose: a prerequisite
If otitis media has appeared in children, how can I treat the pathology? Most inflammation of the eardrum accompanies a runny nose. This symptom also needs to be addressed. Otherwise, after recovery, the bacteria will again fall into the ear canal. Treatment of rhinitis with otitis media involves the use of vasoconstrictor and antimicrobial compounds. Xylometazaline-based drugs are very popular. Your doctor may prescribe Snoop, Nazivin, Vibrocil, or Tizin. For especially serious problems, corticosteroids are recommended (Avamys, Tafen, Nazonex). Such medicines can not be used for a long time. This can lead to atrophic rhinitis.
Among the antimicrobial compositions for the treatment of the nose, one can distinguish such as Polydex, Isofra, Pinosol, and also Dioksidin. It is worth noting that washing the sinuses with otitis media is strictly prohibited. This can only aggravate the situation and lead to complications.
Eardrum puncture and cleansing
How to treat otitis media in a child? If the problem persists after applying the described means or the baby becomes worse in a short time, then it is advisable to puncture the eardrum. This manipulation is called myringotomy. It is performed without additional pain relief. The doctor, using the appropriate tool, makes a small incision, after which accumulated fluid and pus comes out of it.
The resulting material should be sent for research to determine the sensitivity to antibiotics. After the results obtained, the otorhinolaryngologist can prescribe a suitable drug with high accuracy.
Tube application: drainage
How to treat otitis media in a child of 3 years old, if the situation repeats constantly? After all, it is in children of this age that the relapse of the described disease is very large. A specialist can suggest you use surgical methods and install a small tube in the eardrum. This part will allow the liquid not to accumulate, but to go outside. As a result, the inflammatory process does not appear. Often this method is used for chronic otitis media, which are repeated more than 10 times a year and are difficult to treat with antibiotics. The procedure is called "tympanostomy." Drainage in the child’s ear can stand for as long as the doctor sees fit.
Alternative methods of treatment
How to treat purulent otitis media in children? Often our grandmothers are advised to apply warming. Doctors say that it can be very dangerous. Under the influence of heat, the inflammatory process can only worsen. Alternative methods of treatment are as follows:
- Take camphor oil and warm it slightly. Dip a swab in it, then insert it into your ear. Put on a tight bandage and warm the inflamed part for two hours.
- Hydrogen peroxide has always been used to treat and prevent otitis media. Put a few drops of the drug into the damaged ear, then gently clean the sink with a cotton swab.
- Take boric alcohol and hold it in your palms to warm it. Then inject two drops into each ear canal. The drug will help kill pathogens. However, it must be remembered that this method cannot be used if the eardrum is damaged.
- Heat a handful of salt in a pan. After that, put the loose mass in the sock and attach it to the sore ear. Hold for half an hour and remove the heat compress.
Instead of a conclusion
After reading the article, you learned how to treat otitis media in a child of 3 years or at a different age. Remember that this is a very insidious disease. You should not cancel the prescribed drugs as soon as you feel better. This practice can lead to an increase in the resistance of microorganisms to drugs. Be sure to complete your course of medication.
Try never to self-medicate. Remember that timely access to a doctor is the key to a successful outcome. Use the services of specialists and always be healthy!