The earache in baby is often caused by an inflammation or ear infection called otitis. It is a relatively common situation in children up to 5-6 years of age. It can be caused by the ingress of water into the ear (Otitis externa), causing an inflammation or infection, or by the multiplication of viruses, bacteria or fungi inside the middle ear (Otitis media) of the baby that sometimes comes from the typical secretions of colds and flu.
In addition to otitis, other diseases such as Mumps, Measles, Pneumonia, Influenza or Virose are also common in the baby. Learn more about the Complete Guide to Common Infant Diseases.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of earache in a baby can be:
- Irritability;
- Cry;
- Lack of appetite;
- Difficulty in breastfeeding and the baby may even reject the breast;
- Put a little hand in the ear many times;
- Difficulty in resting the head on the infection side;
- Swing your head sideways many times.
Generally, the earache in a baby gives a fever, but a moderate fever that does not exceed 38.5ºC.
If there is any perforation of the eardrum, there may be bad odor in the ear and pus, which can sometimes cause momentary hearing loss, but which if not properly treated can become permanent.
How is the treatment done?
Whatever the earache remedy in baby, it should be prescribed by the pediatrician, and some options for treatment include:
- Analgesics and antipyretics, such as Dipirone or Paracetamol, for relief of doe and fever:
- Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, for relief from inflammation and pain;
- Antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin or Cefuroxime, should only be used when the infection is caused by bacteria.
Decongestants can be used when otitis is accompanied by a cold or other respiratory infection that causes secretion, and should also be directed by the pediatrician.
Home Treatment Options
A complementary home remedy for earache in baby is to pass a diaper, with the ironing iron and put near the baby's ear after warm. It is necessary to keep in mind the temperature of the diaper so as not to burn the baby (put close to his face).
In addition, throughout the treatment, it is important to offer lots of liquids and pasty foods, such as soups, purees, yogurts, and kneaded fruits to the baby. This care is important because often the earache is related to the sore throat and the baby may feel pain when swallowing and the less irritation in the throat, the better it will feed and the faster it will recover.
Earache on baby in airplane
The earache in the baby is also common when traveling by plane and in this case, what can be done is to hold the baby in the lap and put it to suck on the breast or the bottle during the landing and takeoff. The pacifier can also be used, but it is less efficient. See more tips here.
The act of sucking and swallowing relieves pressure on the baby's ears and lessens the discomfort he feels during these moments on the plane.
