How can I tell if my child has an ear infection?

Doctor's Answers 1

Hi Emma, Thanks for the D2D.

It may not always be easy to tell if your child might be suffering from an ear infection, especially if they aren’t able to speak properly yet.

But the parents of my kiddie patients with ear infections have told me that they were worried about their child tugging repeatedly at his or her own ears, or trying to stick their fingers into their ears, so that was why they brought their child to see me for a thorough checkup.

Occasionally, kids with ear infections may be in pain or run a fever. They may also be more grumpy or cranky than usual. Some kids may be unfortunate enough to have yellowish or unpleasant-smelling liquid discharge coming out of their ears.

Ear infections in kids may also cause hearing loss so if you notice that your child isn’t responding promptly as usual when you call to him, or if the TV is turned up more loudly than normal, then this may mean your child’s ears are blocked with impacted wax or infected fluid behind their eardrums.

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Young kids are susceptible to nose and throat infections, not just ear problems. Their immune system is not yet fully mature and most young kids usually attend daycare or nursery, where they mingle closely with other children and are at risk of catching another child’s “bug”.

The Eustachian pressure tubes of a young child are also shorter in length than an adult’s and lie at a more horizontal angle, so nose and throat infections are more likely to spread via these Eustachian tubes to the child’s ears.

Similar Questions

How soon do I need treatment for ear blockage due to an ear infection?

Thank you for your question. Ear blockage or hearing loss can be due to: 1. Conductive hearing loss – Hearing loss due to a physical blockage of the ear canal or middle ear (space deep to the ear drum thaf houses the hearing bones). Common causes include: Impacted ear wax Ear infections Fluid in the middle ear Foreign body in the ear Stiffening of the hearing bones. Conductive hearing loss are usually reversible (ie hearing can revert back to normal) once the underlying cause is treated. 2.

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Answered By

Dr Eng Cern Gan

ENT Doctor

Do I have an ear infection after cleaning my ear with a Q-tip?

Thank you for your question. Yes, Q-tips or any other cotton buds are not meant to be inserted into the ear canals as they are too big! You will end up pushing your earwax deeper into the ear canal or may damage the lining of the ear and cause an ear infection. I’ve also seen broken Q-tips lodged in the ear canal or puncturing the eardrum! It sounds like you may have developed an ear canal infection (also known as otitis externa) and given topical antibiotics by your GP.

Photo of Dr Eng Cern Gan

Answered By

Dr Eng Cern Gan

ENT Doctor

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