Earache is capable of limiting the overall well-being. Thereby, especially children often suffer from the discomfort. Because they do not always manage to name the pain, the diagnosis can often be made late.
What is ear pain in children?
Ear pain in children is quite common. In most cases, inflammation triggers the discomfort. Ears are very sensitive organs. Because many nerves open in the region, even minor disturbances such as changes in pressure lead to pain. These can occur in different areas: in the outer, middle or inner ear. However, complaints of the inner ear are relatively rare. Ear pain in children, on the other hand, is quite common. In most cases, inflammations trigger the complaints. These are caused by bacteria or viruses. Particularly in the case of general colds that also affect the throat, the inflammation often reaches the middle ear via the connection between the mouth and the ear. In general, earaches thus do not represent an individual pathological manifestation. Instead, they indicate an underlying disease. In cases of severe infections, children should always be taken to the doctor because treatment with antibiotics may be necessary.
Causes
The causes of earache in children can be varied. However, in most cases, inflammation or existing pressure is behind the discomfort. A middle ear infection can be acute or chronic. The starting point is invading bacteria or viruses. A typical symptom of otitis media is severe pain. In children, mumps is also a possible cause. Furthermore, inflammations can affect the external auditory canal or the mastoid process. In the case of inflammation of the external auditory canal, furuncles occur in the area of the ear or erysipelas and shingles are behind the pain. The cause is not always found locally. Tooth inflammation, palatine tonsillitis or parotid gland inflammation can also be capable of triggering the complaints. Parotitis is caused by measles, for example. In addition to inflammation, the presence of an obstruction cannot be ruled out. Hearing is limited and pain may occur due to a narrow ear plug or foreign body. Pointed objects or improper cleaning of the ear can cause perforation of the eardrum.
Diseases with this symptom
- Sinusitis
- Middle ear infection
- Angina tonsillaris
- Shingles
- Common cold
- Erysipelas
- Tympanic membrane injuries
- Tonsillitis
- Allergy
Diagnosis and course
Because the causes of pain are so varied, the correct diagnosis is important. Only then can the appropriate therapy take place to restore health. First, there is usually a detailed discussion with the doctor. The parents should be able to provide information about how long the child has been suffering from pain and whether other accompanying symptoms such as cough and fever have occurred. This is followed by a physical examination, initially with the help of an otoscopy. During this, the doctor looks at the external appearance of the inner ear. He inserts a special device into the ear canal and can thus perceive changes in the tissue or the eardrum. Redness and fluids thus already indicate an existing inflammation. Furthermore, the throat is often examined. Changes in pressure may also result in ear pain in children. A tube function test provides information about the ventilation of the middle ear. In the case of possible infections, a blood test helps, and the hearing test checks the extent to which hearing is impaired. The course of the pain depends on the underlying disease. In general, however, permanent damage is not to be expected. Complaints with pressure equalization do occur frequently in children, but disappear with increasing age. Furthermore, susceptibility to infection decreases.
Complications
When children complain of ear pain, it is not uncommon for it to be a middle ear infection. This is harmless if treated quickly and in a targeted manner. Nevertheless, complications can sometimes occur.If, for example, the acute inflammation in the middle ear spreads to the cavities of the mastoid, the bony mastoid process behind the ear, a serious complication is present. Tissue swelling occurs around the bone, causing the auricle to protrude and the skin to become increasingly red. The intensity of pain increases. If the inflammation is not treated promptly, meningitis (meningitis) may result. Brain abscesses and fascial paresis (paralysis of the facial nerves) are also possible. A rarer complication is damage to the inner ear by bacterial toxins (toxic labyrinthitis). This can lead to tinnitus, hearing loss as well as dizziness and balance disorders. If inflammation of the middle ear occurs more frequently, scarring of the eardrum and adhesions to the ossicles cannot be ruled out. Any resulting hearing loss is considered irreparable. If the earache in the child is due to tubal catarrh (obstruction of the eustachian tube), the swelling not only impairs pressure equalization but also the drainage of secretions. There may be a buildup of fluid behind the eardrum, which can be seen as an effusion on otoscopy. In medical terms, this is now referred to as a tympanic effusion. If the symptoms do not recede, a tympanostomy tube is surgically inserted.
When should you go to the doctor?
Earaches in children occur very frequently and should always be treated with appropriate medication or by a doctor. Those who completely do without such treatment are taking a great risk, because an inflammation in the ear carries many risks. An inflammation of the middle ear may spread throughout the body, resulting in general malaise. In addition, there are symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, nausea or even vomiting. In particularly bad cases, there is a purulent discharge from the ear. Then, at the latest, a visit to the doctor should definitely be made. If not treated, these individual clinical pictures will worsen considerably. However, if you consult your family doctor or pediatrician at an early stage, you can counteract the individual clinical pictures very well. With appropriate medication, the inflammation inside the ear is alleviated. Thus, this should subside significantly after about one to two days. In general, the following applies: At the latest when the formation of pus can be seen, then a visit to the doctor should not be put on the back burner. If you want to avoid the above-mentioned complications right from the start, you should see a doctor at the first signs. After all, with the right medication, a quick recovery is guaranteed.
Treatment and therapy
Once the cause has been diagnosed, the right therapy can help to successfully eliminate infections and occlusions. Accordingly, therapy is based on the trigger of the child’s earache. Furthermore, the exact localization must be identified. In the case of inflammation of the outer areas of the ear, the doctor usually prescribes ointments to apply. These have either antibiotic properties if the triggers are bacteria, or antifungal properties as soon as fungi are present. The administration of antibiotic tablets is very rarely necessary in the case of such an inflammation. If the inflammation is in the ear canal, ear drops help to relieve the pain and inhibit the existing inflammation. If the child suffers from an inflammation of the middle ear, nasal drops are often used. These are intended to reduce the existing swelling and in this way allow the ventilation of the inner ear again. If the middle ear infection is severe, antibiotics are administered via tablets. If middle ear infections occur regularly in the child, a tube can provide relief. This is placed in the eardrum in such a way that it allows air to pass through the inner ear. At the same time, fluids can drain through the tube. An injured or perforated eardrum usually heals on its own within two weeks. Splinting can also aid healing. If the injury has not regenerated after two months, the eardrum can be replaced with an artificial one. As part of natural medicine, onion compresses are often applied to the affected ear.
Outlook and prognosis
Earache is relatively common in children and should always be treated by a physician.Especially at a young age, it is very important to protect the ears and thus avoid a negative development and hearing loss. In most cases, earaches are relatively harmless symptoms that also disappear on their own. A visit to the doctor is nevertheless advisable. Earaches occur mainly as a side effect of a cold or flu and disappear on their own when the child is healthy. They can also be caused by toothache. However, if the child’s earache is prolonged and very severe, medical treatment must be sought in any case. As a rule, it is the inflammation of the middle ear, which can be well treated. The treatment takes place both with medications and directly with the doctor and relieves the pain. If the earache is not treated, inflammation can also lead to hearing loss and thus severely affect everyday life. Children’s ears are very vulnerable with regard to earaches and should therefore always be well protected and not exposed to loud noises.
Prevention
Earaches cannot always be prevented. Children in particular still have a sensitive immune system and are susceptible to infections. A balanced diet and sufficient exercise can help strengthen the immune system. If the child suffers frequently from existing pressure, triggering factors such as visits to the swimming pool should initially be discontinued or reduced. Otherwise, it is advisable to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible as soon as the child complains of ear pain. Early treatment can prevent the spread of inflammation and the development of chronic symptoms.
What you can do yourself
Throbbing and stabbing earaches are felt particularly badly by children. Therefore, it is not always easy for parents to distinguish a serious ear infection from a mild cold pain. Often, a middle ear infection is the reason for the pain in children. In the initial stage, home remedies can fight the disease. However, if there is still no improvement on the second day, a doctor should be consulted in any case. An incipient ear infection does not need to be fought with antibiotics. In the early stages, chamomile steam baths are successful. The essential oils of chamomile soothe pain and inhibit inflammation. A well-tried household remedy is the onion. It has an antibacterial effect and can be cut in half, packed in a cotton bag and placed on the back of the ear. The whole thing must be fixed with a headband or cap and should be left for 30 minutes. In principle, heat helps with inflammation. A warm cherry pit cushion can work wonders here, but it must not be too hot. Paracetamol has proven effective for incipient earaches and is also suitable for babies in the appropriate dosage. Nasal rinses with saline solution are also useful, because they flush out bacteria. It is possible that a tonsillitis is the reason for the earache. Parents should check their child’s throat and go to the doctor if there is severe redness and swelling. In this case, antibiotics are necessary.
