Ear, nose and throat diseases , Inflammation of the middle ear
Otitis media is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear.
Which leads to fluid accumulation behind the eardrum, and this disease is one of the most common diseases among children. They are more affected by it than adults.
Repeated injury and persistent fluid buildup can lead to serious complications such as:
-Hearing impairment.
-Rupture (perforation) of the eardrum.
-Delay in speech skills or development in children.
-Spread of untreated inflammation to nearby tissues.
Preventing otitis externa:
Avoid putting cotton wool swabs or fingers in the ears.
Use earplugs or a swim cap over your ears when swimming
Avoid getting water or shampoo into the ears when showering.
To relieve pain resulting from ear infection. These treatments may include:
Treatment of otitis media
pain killers. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) to relieve pain. Use medications according to label directions. Caution is advised when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Aspirin should never be given to children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Anesthetic drops. They can be used to relieve pain if the eardrum is not perforated or ruptured.
Antibiotic treatment
After the initial observation period has passed, your doctor may recommend antibiotic treatment for ear infections in the following cases:
Children 6 months of age or older with moderate to severe ear pain in one or both ears for at least 48 hours or a temperature of 102.2 F (39 C) or higher
Children 6 to 23 months of age with mild middle ear pain in one or both ears lasting less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F (39 C)
Children 24 months of age or older with mild middle ear pain in one or both ears lasting less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F (39 C)
Children younger than 6 months of age with confirmed acute otitis media are likely to be treated with antibiotics without an initial observation period.
Even after symptoms improve, be sure to use antibiotics as instructed by your doctor. Failure to take all medications can lead to recurring infections and bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotic medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to do if you forget to take a dose.
The best antibiotic for otitis media
Doctors prescribe antibiotics as the best treatment for otitis media, and the options are limited to the following:
Amoxicillin: Amoxicillin is the first choice of oral antibiotics used to treat otitis media for patients who do not suffer from allergies.
Penicillin, at a dose ranging from 40 to 45 mg/kg of the patient’s weight daily. The dose can be increased to between 80 and 90 mg/kg of the patient’s weight per day, to avoid the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.
Cefuroxime: In other cases, doctors prescribe Cefuroxime Acetil oral suspension at a concentration of 30 mg/kg of the patient’s weight daily in divided doses, or tablets at a concentration of 250 mg twice daily.
Ceftriaxone: Ceftriaxone is prescribed in the form of intramuscular injections at a concentration of 50 mg/kg of the patient’s weight daily, and the dose is repeated for 3 days.
Treating otitis media with herbs
Many people prefer to use natural herbs to relieve the pain caused by ear infections, knowing that they do not treat middle ear infections.
We mention below the most prominent of these herbs:
Ginger oil: Ginger oil can be applied to the auricle, as it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, but care must be taken not to put it in the ear canal.
Garlic oil: Treating otitis media with garlic may help relieve ear inflammation by placing a drop of garlic oil inside the ear, but it is recommended to consult a doctor before using it.
Olive oil: Some people resort to treating otitis media with olive oil by placing a few drops of warm olive oil (room temperature) in the affected ear.
You should refrain from putting any herbal oils inside the ear if the eardrum is perforated, and it is also recommended to consult a doctor before using it for children or adults.