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- Why do young children get more ear infections than older kids and adults?
- What causes ear infections and what does not?
- Ear pain vs ear infections
- When and how should ear infections be treated?
- Why don't we always recommend antibiotics?
- What are tubes and when should they be used?
- What can be done to prevent ear infections?
- Ruptured ear drums
- What is Swimmer's Ear?
What causesear infections and what does not?
A middle ear infection usually happens because of swelling in one or both of the eustachian tubes (which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat as pictured below). The tubes let mucus drain from the middle ear into the throat. If they are blocked, the mucus builds up in the middle ear.
Ear infections are usually caused by viruses that cause typical cough and colds. The mucus made during the infection gets into the middle ear, causing pain. Bacteria can also get into the middle ear and cause infections.
Things that increase the likelihood of an ear infection:
- Young age
- Swollen tonsils or adenoids
- Acid reflux
- Secondhand smoke
- Allergies
Things that DO NOT increase the risk of middle ear infections:
- Taking a bath when it's cold
- Getting water in the ear
- Getting wind in the ear
- Going outside in cold weather
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Why dobabies get so many ear infections?
The eustachian tube helps to equalize pressure in the middle ear. If it is swollen or blocked it does not allow the pus in the middle ear to drain (think of how the tissues in your nose swell with a cold or allergies). Infants and young children are more prone to ear infections than adults because their eustachian tube is flatter, which inhibits drainage (see picture below).
