What are the symptoms of otitis externa in babies?

The ear is the human auditory organ. Everyone knows that there is an ear canal from the outside of the ear to the inside of the ear. But in real life, diseases can also occur in the ear canal, which often cause us trouble, such as ear canal inflammation. Moreover, otitis externa can also occur in children. So, what are the symptoms of otitis externa in babies? How should parents judge?

Causes of otitis externa in children

The main reason why children suffer from otitis externa is that the external auditory canal is narrow and the Eustachian tube in the middle ear is short, wide and straight. At birth, there is a small amount of amniotic fluid remaining in the ear canal, coupled with the secretion of the sebaceous glands, so it is relatively moist and easy for bacteria to grow and multiply. If water accidentally flows in while taking a bath, or if there is an upper respiratory tract infection, bacteria can invade the external auditory canal and cause other diseases such as external otitis.

In addition, the occurrence of otitis externa in children is related to people's physical constitution and is most likely caused by some diseases. When children suffer from measles, scarlet fever, influenza and other diseases, their body resistance decreases, and the local defense function of the Eustachian tube and tympanic mucosa is weakened. External pathogens can easily invade the middle ear and cause acute inflammation, causing the child to cry and be restless, and crying will aggravate ear inflammation. If it is not completely cured for a long time, it may lead to the occurrence of other diseases such as otitis externa.

Symptoms of otitis externa in children

1. For chronic cases, the main symptoms are ear discomfort and itching, often with a small amount of secretions, slight hearing loss, congestion or thickening of the skin of the external auditory canal, or covered with scabs, which contain a small amount of pus or debris. Sometimes, removing the scab may cause bleeding, and the tympanic membrane may become cloudy, thickened, and unclearly marked, or a small amount of granulation tissue may form on the surface due to damage to the tympanic membrane epithelium.

2. Burning, itching and pain in the external auditory canal: diffuse congestion, swelling and epidermal rot. The discharge is serous at first and then turns into serous or purulent discharge. If the skin swelling is severe, it may cause stenosis or occlusion of the external auditory canal.

3. Blocking the eardrum, causing conductive deafness and tinnitus: Since the secretion is non-stimulating, the intertragus notch or earlobe may also be affected. In severe cases, the lymph nodes around the ears are swollen and tender, and the whole body may experience fever. Symptoms such as discomfort.

How to treat otitis externa in children

In cases of external otitis and furunculosis, parents can apply cold compresses to the baby's ears with a wet towel, and while taking or injecting antibiotics, drop ear oil or neomycin and other ear drops into the ears to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Do not apply gentian violet or mercurochrome in the ear canal. Because these colored potions will hinder doctors from observing changes in the condition.

If the boil has pus spots, ask an otolaryngologist to drain the pus to prevent the inflammation from further worsening and affecting hearing.