Ear Ache
Earache is one of the most common problems we see in children. Your child’s earache can be quite serious, especially if it isn’t recognized and treated right away. Your pediatrician is here to relieve earache pain so that young patients can enjoy being kids again.
Ear Ache (Question & Answer)
Why do children get earaches?
What type of middle ear infection does your child have?
Acute otitis media
In this, the most common kind of ear infection, your child’s middle ear is swollen and infected. This swelling traps fluid in the back of the eardrum and the pressure causes your child to have an earache. Acute otitis media may also cause a fever.
Otitis media with effusion
This type of ear infection causes fluid to remain in the back of your child’s eardrum, even after the pain and other symptoms have passed. Your child may have few or no symptoms, so this type of ear infection can be hard to identify. Children who have otitis media with effusion may tell you that their ears feel stuffed or full.
Chronic otitis media with effusion
This occurs when your child has trouble with fluid that stays trapped in the back of the eardrum, or when the fluid keeps returning once cleared out. This type of infection can be serious and can cause hearing problems if not resolved. Children who suffer from chronic otitis media with effusion may have almost constant pain due to fluid buildup and will often say their ears feel full.
