The ear is one of the important parts of our five senses and helps us with hearing. Most people come to us with problems like pain in the ears, having sensations at any time, or feeling a ringing sound. These are the most common issues we encounter in our hospital. We are known for the best Ear Treatment in Ahmedabad. Here's a blog- an answer to the most common question- ‘What are the complications of ear infections?’. Read about all the possible complications if you have ear infections and their solutions. So let us start with the problem faced by kids.
Ear Problems in Kids?
Ear infection in kids is very common, especially in kids between the age group of 6 months to 1 year. They usually face ear problems once a month. What exactly happens is the fluid collects behind the eardrum because they have smaller tubes (called the Eustachian tubes) that connect the middle ear and to the throat.
When a kid catches a cold, the germs can easily travel from the throat to the middle ear due to the smaller tube, and it is very common for kids to have frequent ear infections. Have you ever heard about the glue ear? The medical term for glue ear is OME (otitis media with effusion). It usually follows the same symptoms of inner ear problems but can happen for other reasons, too.
If your kid is affected by glue ear, then, no need to worry. It will get normal over time, and sometimes doctors prescribe antibiotics for this. If they still face problems, then our doctors suggest surgery, which is a quick operation where a small tube (called a grommet) has been put in your child's ear. These help fluid drain from the middle ear.
Is Swimming Safe for Children Who Have an Ear Infection?
So for middle ear infection and glue ear, swimming is ok, but avoid it if the eardrum is perforated. And if your child has an outer ear infection, wait till one week after treatment as it needs time to heal.
Ear Complications in Adults
Now, as we have discussed the kids in the above paragraph, let us move to the infections faced by the adults. Germs like viruses, fungi, or bacteria are typical reasons for infraction in adults. There are some other reasons also, like some people who have weakened immune systems or inflammation in the structures of the ear may be more prone to ear infections than others. If we take the example of diabetes, it is a risk factor in malignant otitis external, where there is also a chance that the bone in the ear canal gets infected.
What Can Be the Solution for This?
There are some drugs, like Ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol), that doctors may prescribe to help adults cure their ear infections and also treat the pain associated with the accompanying inflammation. If you are looking for some more options, then decongestants or antihistamines (Benadryl) can help you relieve some of the symptoms, like mucus in the eustachian tubes. You should take medicines or drugs only when the doctor prescribes them.
Some of the swimmers use ear drops to cure infections without the prescription of the doctors. But it is only advisable to take in the mild cases that too with chemists' advice. If you face some serious issues, then do visit your doctor without any second thought. If you know, it is also advised by the doctor that you can make a blend at home by mixing half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar. If you put a few drops in your ear, then it helps to dry out the ear canal and support the process of healing.
If you have undergone ear tube surgery or permanent injuries to your eardrums, you should not use ear drops. If you are experiencing ear discharge, then you should stop using ear drops and seek medical attention.
How You Can Prevent This Infection?
Some small changes can help you prevent this type of infection by adding some daily routine to your day-to-day life. It can also help you in the prevention of many ear infections. You can quit smoking, which can help you reduce respiratory and ear infections, clean and dry your ears after swimming and bathing, Avoid the use of cotton swabs, practice regular handwash and pay attention to overall hygiene.
Even though an ear infection is common among children and adults, also if you have diabetes or chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, then you are more prone to it. If you have any other questions related to your ear problem that are not mentioned in this blog, then Visit Kundan ENT Hospital, where our ENT Specialist in Ahmedabad, Dr. Mukund Vaghela and his team, will help you resolve your queries regarding possible complications of ear infections and treat you the best.
