Colds surge among young children in cold weather, beware of otitis media

The weather is hot and cold. In addition to the possibility of influenza outbreak, children with poor immunity are often complicated by otitis media once they catch a cold. Otitis media is a common cause of hearing loss in children, but it is easily ignored. Doctors remind that if a child often pulls his ears and complains of pain when he catches a cold, it is most likely an inflammatory symptom caused by bacteria retrograde into the middle ear cavity. When the temperature drops sharply and colds rise sharply in children, parents should pay attention to whether their children are complicated by middle ear inflammation.

Lin Zhixin, chief physician of the Department of Otolaryngology at Kaohsiung Ruan General Hospital, said that otitis media often occurs in children under 2 years old and 6 or 7 years old. In addition to the fact that the immune system of young children is not fully developed, because the Eustachian tube (located near the middle ear) of children is shorter than that of adults and runs horizontally, viruses or bacteria in the throat are more likely to retrograde into the middle ear cavity and cause inflammation. The most noticeable symptoms are ear pain and a feeling of pressure and blockage in the ear.

According to statistics, 75% of children have suffered from otitis media, and 25% of them will have repeated infections. 5-10% will also experience ear pus discharge, which is caused by the excessive pressure of pus in the middle ear, causing the eardrum to rupture. However, most ruptured eardrums will slowly heal within a week. Bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear may occur in only one ear or in both ears at the same time. Not only will it cause hearing loss, but it may also cause complications near the middle ear due to infection.

In addition, children with allergic rhinitis are more likely to suffer from acute otitis media. When allergic rhinitis is common in autumn and winter, it should be controlled with medication. Dr. Lin Zhixin emphasized that some people believe that otitis media is caused by water soaking into the ears during bathing or failure to clean the earwax, but in fact there is no relationship between them.

In terms of treatment, antibiotics are generally required for at least 10-14 days of treatment. Sometimes antihistamines and decongestants are also added to treat cold or allergy symptoms. Most cases of otitis media will improve with appropriate medical treatment, but some may require further treatment. For example, myringotomy involves cutting a small hole in the eardrum to allow pus to drain out and air to enter, thereby alleviating the symptoms of earache and earplugs. The incision heals within a few days without damaging the eardrum or leaving scars.