Earaches are common among young children

An earache is a common complaint — especially in young children.

But, what causes this painful condition and what is the best treatment?

Pediatricians see quite a few patients with earache all year long, but more during cold and flu season. This is because when a cold, throat infection or allergy attack occurs, the tube that connects the throat to the middle ear (called the eustacian tube) can get blocked, causing fluid to build up in the middle ear. This fluid becomes a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria, resulting in infection.

Ear infection is common in children younger than the age of eight, because their ear canal is shorter, softer and narrower, making them a prime candidate for blockage. Also, younger kids are more susceptible to colds and viral infections, which usually tapers off as their immune systems get stronger with age.

Obvious symptoms of ear infection are ear pain, difficulty hearing, fever and thick, yellowish drainage or discharge from the ear. However, symptoms can also range from loss of appetite and dizziness to vomiting and sleeplessness, and may not seem at all related to the ear.

With such widely ranging symptoms, how can you be sure you're dealing with an ear infection and not just a cold, teething, or other ailment? In infants and newborns, it can be difficult to tell. They may rub or pull at their ear, or seem to be favoring one side of the head. They may cry inconsolably or just seem especially irritable.

Older children can usually tell you what's bothering them, but you can't always count on them for accurate information. Complaints of ear pain or a stiff neck are cause for concern, or if you notice redness or swelling behind or around your child's ear in conjunction with fever.

If left untreated, ear infections can be very serious, possibly even resulting in permanent damage and hearing loss. So, what is the best course of action to prevent an earache from turning into something much more serious?

For children over the age of three, minor ear infections can be treated at home with a non-prescription analgesic, such as Children's Tylenol or Motrin. Be sure to carefully follow the dosing directions on the package and call your pediatrician if you have any questions.

If the infection does not clear up in a couple of days, or appears to be getting worse, do not hesitate to call your child's doctor. Your child may need a course of antibiotics to help clear up the infection, especially if they are prone to ear or throat ailments

For infants and toddlers under the age of three, when an ear infection is suspected, it is best to get them in to see their doctor. Again, antibiotics might be needed to help clear up the infection, and since they cannot tell us what's wrong, it's best to have a physician look at the ear with their scope, just to make sure.

Some young children may have stubbornly recurring ear infections. For these children, one option might be to surgically insert tubes that help drain and ventilate the ear. This procedure is called a myringotomy and has been used extensively in the U.S. for the past several years. However, like any surgical procedure, it is important to weight the pros and cons with your child's physician before making the decision to follow through with an invasive measure.

There is really no way to prevent ear infections in children, except through practicing good hand-washing and hygiene to prevent colds and flu. And never ever stick anything in your child's ear canal. When cleaning the ear, use specially padded baby cotton swabs just in the folds of the outer ear.

If your child suffers any ear trauma such as a burst eardrum, or experiences bleeding from the ear, call your pediatrician or go to the Emergency Department right away.