Most ear infections do not require treatment with antibiotics. What is the best for your child depends on many factors, including your child's age and severity of symptoms.
A wait and see
Symptoms of ear infection usually improves with the first two days, and most infections go away by themselves within a week or two without treatment. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that you wait and see 48 to 72 hours for anyone who is healthy and that is:
Six months to 2 years with mild symptoms and an uncertain diagnosis
More than 2 years old mild symptoms or diagnosis uncertain
The treatment of pain
Your doctor will advise you on treatments to reduce the pain of ear infection. These may include:
A warm compress. Place a damp towel and warm in the affected ear can reduce pain.
Pain medication. Your doctor may advise the use of over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) to relieve pain. The use of medications as directed on the label. Because aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome, use caution when giving aspirin to children or adolescents. Although aspirin is approved for use in children over 2 years, children and adolescents recovering from chickenpox or flu symptoms should not take aspirin. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Ear drops. Ear drops, such as antipyrine, benzocaine (Aurodex) can provide additional pain relief. To administer the drops to his son, warm the bottle by placing it in hot water. Place the recommended dose in the ear of your child while he or she is on a flat surface with the affected ear upward. Benzocaine has been linked to a rare but serious or life-threatening decreases the amount of oxygen that blood can carry. Do not use in children under 2 years benzocaine without supervision of a health care professional, because this age group was most affected. If you are an adult, never use more than the recommended dose of benzocaine and the chance to talk with your doctor.
Antibiotic treatment
Your doctor may recommend antibiotic treatment for an ear infection in the following situations:
Children under 6 months with a probable diagnosis of ear infection
Children aged 6 months to 2 years with an accurate diagnosis of ear infection
Anyone with an ear infection and likely moderate to severe pain in the ears
Anyone who is likely ear infection and fever over 102.2 F (39 C) or higher
Even when symptoms have improved, be sure to use all the antibiotic pills as directed. Failure to do so can lead to recurrent infections and bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist what to do if you accidentally miss doses.
Ear tubes
If your child has otitis media with effusion - fluid in the ear after the infection has cleared or the persistent absence of any infection - your doctor may recommend a procedure to drain fluid from the middle ear.
During an outpatient surgical procedure called a myringotomy, a surgeon creates a small hole in the eardrum that allows the aspiration of middle ear fluid. A small tube is placed outdoors to help ventilate the middle ear and prevent the accumulation of more liquid. Some tubes are designed to stay in place for six months to a year and then fall out on their own. Other tubes are designed to stay longer and may need to be surgically removed.
Tympanic membrane is closed again after the tube is dropped or removed.
Treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media
Chronic infection, which causes the perforation of the eardrum - a chronic suppurative otitis media - is difficult to treat. It 'is often treated with antibiotics is given as drops. For instructions, suction fluids from the ear canal prior to administration of drops.
Surveillance
Children with frequent or constant infections or persistent middle ear fluid should be carefully monitored. Talk to your doctor about how often you should schedule a follow-up appointments. Your doctor may recommend normal hearing, and language tests.