By Jenny Brown, INA 2005 Nanny of the Year
There are many childhood illnesses affecting kids today: Chickenpox, Fifth’s Disease, Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, Conjunctivitis, the common cold, and of course the many strains of viral and bacterial flu bugs. As a child and throughout my nanny career, I have been plagued by repeated ear infections, (the most common infectious childhood disease), and so have many of my charges. I have often wondered, what causes an ear infection? How can they be prevented? Can they be treated without using antibiotics -- or worse -- surgery? What are the long term effects of chronic ear infections? CONTINUED BELOW
What is an
ear infection? It is defined as the presence and growth of bacteria
or viruses in the ear, sometimes caused by the build up of ear wax
and/or fluid. It can also be the blockage of the Eustachian tube in the
middle ear causing bacteria to build up, resulting in an infection.
Finally, Otitis Media, (ear infection), is the inflammation of the
middle ear, usually associated with build up of fluid. The fluid may or
may not be infected. The main causes of ear infections are fluid in the
ears, chronic sinus infections and allergies. There are several
preventative measures one can take to avoid recurring infections in
children:
1. Reduce the child’s exposure to colds the first-year of life.
2. Breast feed the baby until six-months to one-year-old.
3. Avoid bottle propping.
4. Protect the child from second hand tobacco smoke.
5. Check for allergies. A milk protein allergy is frequently the
problem.
6. Ask the child's doctor to check the child's adenoids.
7. Avoid overusing antibiotics.
Once there has been a diagnosis of an ear infection, what do you do
next? Most ear infections clear up without antibiotics. In findings
entitled, “Management of Acute Otitis Media Summary, Evidence Report
Technology Assessment 15,” researchers from Southern California/
RAND Evidence Based Pediatrics Center, (EPC), found nearly
two-thirds of kids with uncomplicated ear infections recover from pain
and fever within 24 hours of diagnosis without antibiotics. Over 80
percent recover within one to seven days. But for some, an antibiotic,
most commonly a form of penicillin is prescribed. Acetaminophen or
ibuprofen can be used to help with pain or fever over 102 degrees for a
few days until the antibiotics take effect. If the child is one with
recurring problems, there is the scare of building up immunity to the
antibiotics. So, there are a few safe and effective natural herbal
remedies you can try.
1. Nutribiotic eardrops: This is an excellent topical treatment
for ear infections and aches, swimmer’s ear, and overproduction of wax.
The soothing antiseptic formula eases pain and treats local infections.
2. Mullein: This is an oil that is traditional to Native
Americans used to reduce swelling and inflammation. I have used this on
my current charges and it works like magic. There is an odor of garlic,
which has a reputation of helping with many ailments. Once the drops are
in the infected ear, there is instant easing of the pain.
3. Grapefruit seed extract, Golden Seal, (GSE), and Echinacea:
These are also alternative defenses to antibiotic therapy.
If these treatments do not work, then surgery may be necessary. As a
child, I had ventilation tubes twice. The tiny tubes are inserted
through the eardrum to help equalize the pressure inside the ear to
allow fluid drainage. Tubes are placed in kids whose ears are not
draining on their own for at least a three-month period. There are few
side effects of ventilation tubes. A hole in the eardrum may remain in
two to three percent of children once the tubes are removed. Other
complications may include chronic ear drainage, ear cysts, infection,
and hearing loss. On average, tubes last for six to 12-months. About 20
percent of those children may need to have surgery a second time.
What are the long term effects of chronic ear infections? With
prompt treatment, there usually are no long- term effects, unless
treatment fails. Untreated cases or treatment failure may result in:
1. Hearing loss.
2. Speech and hearing delays secondary to hearing.
3. Scarring of the eardrum.
4. Damage to the bones that assist with hearing and some of the skull
bones.
5. Damage to the nerves responsible for hearing, which can cause
permanent untreatable deafness.
6. Extension of the infection into the skull or even the brain, which
can cause death in rare cases.
I enlisted the help of my sister, Heidi Brown, an Audiologist in
Anchorage, Alaska. Heidi is currently pursuing her Doctor of Audiology,
(AuD), through Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Audiology.
Like me, Heidi was plagued by chronic ear infections. Through these
infections, she suffered long lasting conductive, (medically
manageable), hearing loss in one ear and severe scarring in both. Heidi
specializes in pediatric audiology.
“I strongly suggest parents who suspect hearing loss in their child to
get them tested by a pediatric specialist. A parent’s hunch is a strong
indicator that something is wrong,” warns Heidi. She adds, “I see a lot
of patients from ages newborn to three-years-old, who have significant
hearing loss and speech and language delays. The majority of these kids
suffer from Serous Otitis Media, or fluid build up.” After consulting,
testing and referring the patients to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor,
the decision for tubes is made. A follow up appointment is then made
with Heidi to make sure the tubes are working correctly. Only three out
of 1000 kids suffer permanent hearing loss.
As you can see, ear infections should not be taken lightly. They are a
painful burden for many children. Oftentimes children grow out of ear
infections due to the change in their growing bodies. But it is still
advised to follow up and stay on top of potential ear infections.
Would you like to ask our professional Nanny Jenny a question?
