Otitis is an inflammatory process localized in the middle ear. It is more common in children, which is associated with the anatomical features of the structure of the hearing organ in babies. Moreover, as a rule, the disease is accompanied by a significant rise in temperature. Treatment of otitis media in a child must begin with pain relief - the main cause of concern for young patients and their parents, which is the main reason for contacting a specialist.
For this purpose, the drug "Paracetamol" or "Nurofen" is prescribed (it has a more pronounced analgesic effect). The dosage is selected based on the body weight of the child. Many talk about a serious side effect of this drug - hepatotoxicity, but its metabolism in the body of children goes without liver damage, which allows you to safely use the drug in pediatric practice. In addition to it, when treating otitis media in a child, the drug “Meloxicam” (refers to the COX-2 selective blockers, therefore, does not have an ulcerogenic effect) can be used for pain relief, and children from 12 years old are allowed to take the drug “Nimesulide”. In addition, these drugs have an antipyretic effect, which increases their effectiveness in case of a rise in temperature in a child. For the same purpose , Otipax, Kafradeks, Otinum ear drops are prescribed. They must be instilled into the sore ear two to three times a day, four drops at a time. In addition, compresses (for example, alcohol) can be used to relieve pain, but they can only be used after the severity of the process has subsided (that is, when the child’s temperature has already dropped). And it must be borne in mind that compresses are contraindicated when it comes to the treatment of purulent otitis media. Before applying the compress, check the surface temperature by applying gauze to the palm of your hand. Do not leave it for a long time, otherwise you risk getting a chemical burn in addition to otitis media. To reduce inflammation, improve the outflow of inflammatory fluid from the ear, and, accordingly, with an anesthetic purpose, vasoconstrictor drops in the nose are prescribed: "Naphthyzine", "Galazolin", "Xylmetazolin", "Xylen", "Fornos", "Nazol", " Otrivin. " It is important to change nasal drops every three days to avoid reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
The pain was relieved. What's next? And then the treatment of otitis media in a child continues by affecting the cause of the disease. For this, antibiotics are prescribed. And they begin etiotropic therapy with penicillins: the preparations "Augumentin" and "Amoksiklav" in the form of a powder for the preparation of suspensions, the drug "Lemoklav" in the form of tablets for older children. The dosage is prescribed based on the instructions. Macrolide preparations are also effective: Sumamed (Azithromycin), Vilprafen. Previously, macrolides were considered the drugs of choice for the treatment of otitis media, but currently antibiotics of the penicillin series have replaced them in this field .
Effective are such procedures as ear blowing, pneumatic massage of the tympanic membrane. They help improve the outflow of inflammatory fluid, which is the prevention of complications.
Surgical treatment is prescribed in case of purulent otitis media. At the same time, they pay attention to such basic signs of otitis media in a child as temperature, pain and the condition of the eardrum. It is believed that the presence of its bulging (this symptom is detected by otoscopy) is a direct indication for paracentesis, i.e. opening the eardrum with subsequent drainage for the outflow of pus.
After otitis media, the child may be prescribed physiotherapy - UHF, UFO, electrophoresis, the use of vitamins.
Terrible complications caused by otitis media include meningitis, mastoiditis - inflammation of the mastoid process, hearing loss. Perforation of the eardrum threatens children who often have purulent otitis media. Therefore, the treatment of otitis media in a child should be performed by an ENT doctor. And in no case should this business be launched.