Would you recognize the warning signs of an ear infection, especially in your children?

While anyone can develop an ear infection, our Thousand Oaks, CA, ENT doctors often treat young children the most. Middle ear infections tend to be the most common childhood infection that often brings them into our office for treatment. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of an ear infection, particularly in young children, so you can seek immediate care when needed.

Common signs of a middle ear infection in children include,

• Ear pain
• Fullness or pressure in the ear
• Fever

Of course, while older children can vocalize what they are feeling, babies and toddlers cannot. Newborns and little ones may simply become clingy or fussier. They may also cry whenever you place them down for a nap or to go to sleep. Children with ear infections may wake up throughout the night because of the pain. Children may also pull at the affected ear.

If your child is displaying these symptoms suddenly, your child could have an ear infection and it’s a good idea to call our Thousand Oaks, CA, otolaryngologist to determine what steps to take next.

Will an ear infection go away on its own?

In many cases, ear infections will go away without treatment. Of course, it’s still a good idea to visit your ENT doctor, who can provide solutions to help your child manage their pain while the infection clears up. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary.

If your child is prone to ear infections you may wish to talk with our team about other strategies to lessen the chances for future ear infections, as recurring infections could impact their hearing or cause other complications.

When should I see an otolaryngologist?

It’s a good idea to visit our ENT team if your child is experiencing any of these symptoms,

• A fever of 102 F or higher
• Symptoms that are only getting worse
• Trouble hearing
• Fluid or pus draining from the ear

Of course, if you or your child’s symptoms are severe it’s always a good idea to play it safe and see a doctor. Our team can easily examine the infection and determine whether antibiotics are needed.

West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat provides comprehensive, gentle and caring ear, nose and throat care to patients of all ages living in and around Thousand Oaks, Simi, Oxnard and Camarillo, CA. If you or your little one is experiencing symptoms of an ear infection and you want to know whether you should come in for a checkup, call us today. Call our Thousand Oaks, CA, office at (805) 379-9646, Simi Valley, CA, office at (805) 527-7320, Oxnard, CA, office at (805) 983-0395, or our Camarillo, CA, office at (805) 484-5929.

Is your baby fussy, crying, running a low-grade fever? Is your school-age child complaining of earache pain? These signs and more may indicate a middle ear infection. At West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat Head and Neck Surgery in Simi Valley, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, our team of seven ENT doctors can help if your child is dealing with an ear infection.

What causes an ear infection?

It's a bacterial infection of the middle ear structure. Often involving fluid behind the ear drum, pain, drainage, and fever, otitis media plagues millions of American children annually, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. An ear infection may impact hearing.

Diagnosing and treating ear infections

At West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat Head and Neck Surgery, your otolaryngologist will inspect your child's ear canal and tympanic membrane (ear drum) with a lighted otoscope. The ear drum often appears bulging and dull because of bacteria-filled fluid behind the ear drum. The ear canal itself may look reddened and feel tender, too.

In addition, the physician will review symptoms and recommend a course of treatment--not only to cure the infection but also to help prevent re-occurrence. Often, young children experience repeat infections because of the horizontal orientations and short lengths of their eustachian tubes, the canals between the middle ear and throat, state experts at the Cleveland Clinic.

A care plan can include:

• Adequate hydration
• A course of antibiotics
• No smoking around the child
• Positioning a bottle-fed baby sitting up to promote drainage

A word on ear tubes...

Some children benefit from ventilation tubes installed in their ear drums to promote aeration and fluid drainage. Tiny and painless, ear tubes help kids who have infection after infection and can be a great alternative to repeat courses of antibiotics. Ask your ENT doctor if they are a good option for your child.

Yes, they can be part of childhood

However, ear infections should be taken seriously. If you suspect your youngster needs help keeping his or her ears infection-free, please contact West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat Head and Neck Surgery for a consultation with one of our caring doctors. We have locations in Simi Valley, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Camarillo. Call (805) 484-5929 for Camarillo, (805) 527-7320 for Simi Valley, (805) 379-9646 for Thousand Oaks, and (805) 983-0395 for Oxnard.

Do you or your child have a painful ear infection? A very common condition, most people suffer from at least one ear infection at some point, typically during childhood. Thankfully, there are several ear infection treatments you can try. Here are five ear infection treatments the doctors at West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat in Thousand Oaks routinely recommend.

1. Antibiotics

Many parents who bring their child in to their Thousand Oaks doctor for ear infection treatment expect a prescription, and for good reason. A prescription antibiotic is the most popular treatment for ear infections in children. Unfortunately, however, antibiotics don't always work and they aren't always necessary, depending on the cause of the infection and the severity of your child's symptoms. Your child's doctor at West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat can let you know if an antibiotic is a good option for you.

2. Pain Relievers

If you and your child's doctor choose not to use an antibiotic to treat the ear infection, there are still several treatments you can try. If your child's ear infection is very painful, you may want to treat the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to children.

3. Rest

Because ear infections can heal on their own over time, sometimes the best treatment for an ear infection that isn't too painful is simply to get plenty of rest. Resting can also help you avoid getting sick, which can lead to or further exacerbate an ear infection.

4. Heat

Another home treatment you may want to try is heat, which can be used to help ease the pain. Use a warm, wet washcloth with a younger child or a heating pad on the lowest setting with an older child.

5. Elevation

Lastly, keeping your child's head elevated can help any fluid or blockage drain from your child's ear, clearing up the ear and the infection along with it. Use a fluffy pillow for an older child or prop your infant's mattress slightly with a rolled up towel.

Ear infections can be quite painful, but thankfully, they don't generally last too long. Use these five ear infection treatments to find relief and be sure to call your doctor at West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat in Thousand Oaks if you have any questions or if the above treatments don't work.

Otitis media is the medical term for middle-ear inflammation. There are 3 types of otitis media: acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion. and chronic suppurative otitis media. Acute otitis media is normally has obvious symptoms associated, especially ear pain. Otitis media with effusion most commonly is not associated with acute symptoms. Lastly, chronic suppurative otitis media is associated with perforation of the ear drum and may or may not have drainage. All 3 of these conditions are associated with hearing loss. Otitis Media is most frequently found in childhood but it can occur at any age. Not all disease in the middle-ear is otitis media, such as cholesteatoma and congenital malformatons of the middle-ear.

Signs and symptoms common in children include:

• Irritability
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive crying
• Ear pain, especially when lying down
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
• Tugging or pulling on ear
• Loss of balance
• Fever of 100 F or higher
• Drainage of fluid from the ear

Call West Coast ENT Head and Neck Surgery Today!