Acute Otitis Media, Otitis Externa, Otitis Media, Serous Otitis Media, Swimmer's Ear
Otitis Media
Otitis media is inflammation or infection of the middle ear. It can appear as an acute infection or a chronic condition. Many children will have experienced an acute bout of otitis media by the age of two. Chronic otitis media is also known as serous otitis or "glue ear".
The causes of otitis media are listed below, however, there are risk factors involved in making a person more prone to middle ear infections. They include: not being breast fed, use of wood-burning stoves, exposure to second-hand smoke, food allergies, and day care attendance.
Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is infection of the external auditory canal of the ear. Some sources consider it a dermatitis affecting the ears.
There are four different categories of otitis externa. The most common is acute diffuse otitis media, also known as "swimmer's ear", but there are other types as well.
Symptoms and Signs:
Otitis Media
Symptoms of acute otitis media include earache, irritability, fever, and chills. Upon inspection with an otoscope (standard ear viewing instrument), the ear drum will appear red and bulging. There is usually a history of recent upper respiratory tract infection or allergy. Occasionally, there may be vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite.
For chronic otitis media there is temporary, painless, hearing loss with constant swelling of the tympanic membrane (ear drum). This hearing loss can become permanent if the condition persists untreated for several months. Occasionally, a clicking or popping sound can be heard while the child is swallowing or sucking.
Otitis Externa
Generally, symptoms include itching and mild to severe pain. Occasionally, the skin of the canal is swollen and red. There may be a foul odour discharge from the ear.
Causes:
Otitis Media
Acute otitis media is usually caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae bacteria. It may also be caused by a viral infection by respiratory syncytial virus or influenza A virus.
Chronic otitis media is often a symptom of food allergies.
Otitis Externa
Otitis externa generally occurs when fluid or a foreign object becomes trapped in the ear canal and causes irritation. This often leads to infection by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
This form of infection may also be caused by seborrheic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, contact dermatitis, atopic exzema, or psoriasis. Climactic or chemical factors can also be involved.
Otitis externa can also be caused by an irritation due to the drainage of the middle ear for those suffering from chornic otitis media. This type of infection is called chronic otitis externa.
Very rarely, it can also be caused by leprosy, sarcoidosis, syphilis, tuberculosis, or yaws.
What to Expect:
Otitis Media
If swelling behind the ear drum becomes too great, the ear drum can burst, causing a sudden relief of pain and a discharge of pus and perhaps some blood from the ear canal. This is, however, a rare occurrence, and the ear drum can usually heal on its own.
Children with moderate to severe hearing loss may exhibit impaired speech and language development and learning difficulties.
Rare complications include mastoid infection, meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, brain abscess, and facial paralysis.
Otitis Externa
There is one type of otitis externa called malignant otitis externa. This is a rare, yet particularly serious form, of otitis media. It is a necrotizing infection that can spread to adjacent areas. If infection spreads to other tissues, it can become life threatening. People that are at particular risk for this type are the elderly, diabetic, or debilitated people. Permanent facial paralysis often occurs.
Otitis Media
Food Supplements
Acidophilus and Bifidus powder can be put in food or drinks for small children. This will help restore beneficial bacteria counts.
Herbs
Echinacea is beneficial and a child over 6 years can take the full dose. A child under 6 years should take half that. Take 0.5 to 1g as a tea/infusion, 2 to 4mL tincture (1:5), or 150 to 300mg dry powder extract (3.5% echinacoside).
For acute ear infuctions, try a herbal oil combination, such as olive oil, garlic, and hypericum. Prepared oils are often available at a health food store, but you can also prepare one at home. Chop a clove of garlic and soak it in 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil overnight. Strain and drop a couple of drops into the affected ear three times daily. NOTE: Do not use a herbal oil preparation if the eardrum has burst or if there is a chance of it bursting.
Lifestyle
Breast is best. To prevent or reduce the risk of your child succumbing to ear infections, your child should be breast fed for at least four months. Your child will acquire passive immunity to many pathogens through mother's milk. It will also postpone the introduction to cow's milk and any potential allergies to it.
One source states that 85 to 93 percent of children with chronic otitis media have allergies to food or inhalants, and often both. Avoid introducing highly allergenic foods to your child's diet until they are at least 9 months old. Such foods include wheat, egg, fowl, and dairy. Certain foods should also be eliminated during a bout of acute otitis media, as they inhibit the immune system. These include milk and dairy, eggs, wheat, corn, oranges, peanut butter, and sugar.
The use of a cool air humidifier may also prove beneficial.
Give your child plenty of fluids, especially if they have a fever.
Minerals
The appropriate dose for zinc is found by multiplying the child's age by 2.5mg per day, up to a maximum of 30mg per day.
Miscellaneous
Thymus gland extract should also be used. It has been shown to improve immune function, decrease children's food allergies, and improve resistance to chronic respiratory infections.
Vitamins
Vitamin A is recommended. Children under 6 years should take 50,000 IU per day for two days. Children over 6 can take the above dose for four days.
Beta-carotene should also be supplemented. The dose required is measured by taking the child's age in years and multiplying that by 20,000 IU per day, up to a maximum of 200,000 IU per day.
Vitamin C is taken at a dose of the child's age times 50mg every 2 hours.
Otitis Externa
Lifestyle
If your otits externa is caused by a pre-existing otitis media infection, treat the otitis media as above.
