Due to weakened immunity babies are prone to many types of infection. Middle ear infection is quite common in babies which are medically described as otitis media. The tubes present inside the ears become filled with fluid which can cause pain and partial loss of hearing. Young children are often seen pulling at their ears and intense crying nature due to ear infection. They also have trouble in sleeping and balancing difficulties due to this problem. Mild forms of baby ear infection will resolve without any treatment but doctors would prescribe medicines for relieving from pain. Antibiotics are prescribed for severe ear infection. In rare cases surgery is done for repairing the tubes inside.
Types of ear Infection :
Acute otitis media :
This is the mild type of infection in which there will be pain and redness in the eardrum. The babies become irritable and are often seen tugging their ears due to pus formation. Mild antibiotics are given for treating AOM in babies and toddlers.
Otitis Media with Effusion :
In this type of ear infection, either one or both the ears are filled with fluid like pus without pain or redness. This infection OME is caused due to respiratory tract infection or due to allergic reactions on the baby. This type do not require any treatment often and only on severe cases antibiotics are needed.
Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s ear) :
This is the infection that develops on the outer canal of the ear. It causes itchiness, redness and the ear becomes swollen and painful. At times there can also be pus like discharge from the infected ear. Antibiotics are to be given for treating otitis externa.
Causes :
Baby ear infection mostly is caused by bacteria or after the child had a cold or respiratory tract infection. There is every chance for the bacteria to enter into the ear canal or middle ear causing infection. Very often ear infection is caused by microorganisms like bacteria or virus that spreads cold on children.