Six Potential Causes of Ear Infections

1)    Swimmer’s ear – This occurs, as the name implies, when water becomes trapped in the middle ear, causing bacteria to form. The technical name is acute otitis media or otitis externa. The infected fluid, which usually becomes pus, causes extreme pain, fever and redness of the ear drum.

2)    Otitis media with effusion – Usually caused by a throat problem, this ear infection will clear up on its own in a week to 10 days, usually with pain management and warm compresses helping to relieve symptoms. But some stubborn cases refuse to get better. That’s when a simple ear infection becomes Otitis media with effusion, which means having fluid for six weeks or longer in the inner ear. This isn’t necessarily painful, but it can affect hearing so it needs prompt medical attention.

3)    Exposure to smoke – Kids who live in homes where there is a lot of second-hand smoke tend to develop more ear infections. The theory is that airborne irritants cause the Eustachian tubes to contract, and fluid build-up occurs.

4)    Bottle feeding or sippy cups – Young children tend to drink their bottles or sippy cups from a reclining position. This means that the fluids may wind up in the inner ear, where they may fester and cause infections

5)    Exposure to others – If you are a working parent, you may have to put your child in daycare or nursery school. This increases the likelihood of developing common childhood ailments, including earaches. Other parents in the same situation may drop off less-than-well children, exposing yours to a host of ailments.

6)    Adenoids – If your child has a problem with this tissue, it can lead to more earaches. The diseased adenoids will expand and block the Eustachian tubes, resulting in earaches. Have a doctor check them frequently on your visits.