Otitis media is a common disease in children, and 70% to 80% of them are caused by colds. It is high in children aged 6 months to 3 years. On the one hand, because children are prone to colds, on the other hand, because the length and shape of the eustachian tube are relatively special. According to statistics, three-quarters of young children experience at least one ear infection before the age of 3, and nearly half of them may be infected more than three times.
The most common cause of otitis media in children is otitis media caused by a cold, and long-term rhinitis sinusitis and adenoid hypertrophy are also common causes of otitis media. In addition, trauma to the outer ear and tympanic membrane can also cause otitis media, and the entry of bacteria into the middle ear through the tympanic membrane ventilation tube after the tympanic membrane is catheterized can also cause chronic otitis media.
How to tell if a child has otitis media
1. Once otitis media occurs, the affected ear will cause severe pain in the nearby head. Because the structure of the ear is very special, the inside is bone, the outside is breaded with a layer of skin, and there is no other muscle tissue that can play a cushioning role between the two. As a result, your child may be irritable, cry, or unwilling to fall asleep while eating.
2, for children with otitis media, the body temperature will be higher than ordinary people, parents should pay attention to the child's body temperature, the general fever temperature is about 38 to 40 degrees.
3, observe the ear, whether there is a white, yellow or liquid containing a trace of blood, if there is this symptom, it can generally be determined that the child has otitis media and should go to the hospital immediately for treatment.
In addition, because otitis media can affect hearing, the specific manifestation is that the child may put the volume of the TV set louder than usual, or often ask you to repeat the words just said, which requires parents to observe more carefully.
How to prevent otitis media in children
1, enhance immunity: usually pay attention to let the child exercise well, enhance the child's physique. Colds are one of the biggest triggers for otitis media, and it's important to help your child prevent colds as much as possible. Whenever the season changes when the cold is "epidemic", it is necessary to protect the child.
2, the correct blowing of the nose: when the child is old enough, he should be taught to blow the nose gently and not too hard, otherwise it will lead to ear infection.
3. Be careful with breastfeeding: Avoid feeding bottles or other baby foods when the baby is lying on its back, because when the baby is lying down and swallowing, nutrient-rich liquids will flow into the Eustachian tube and accumulate, creating a very comfortable breeding place for infectious organisms.
4. Stay away from second-hand smoke: Children living with smokers seem to be more likely to suffer from otitis media than smoke-free households. Cigarettes can irritate the nasal passage and the lining of the middle ear cavity, which in turn interferes with the normal activity of the Eustachian canal.
In addition, in daily life, do not dig the ears of Hazi to avoid bacterial invasion and cause infection. When bathing and shampooing, prevent sewage from flowing into the nose and ears. Carefully observe the child's hearing and language development, and if abnormalities are found, they should be treated in time.