Ear infections are common health problems among babies, and it can be quite difficult determining what is wrong with them since they cannot tell you. However, there are a few common signs of ear infections that will help you pinpoint the problem. If your baby is displaying any of the following symptoms, you should call your pediatrician immediately.
Crying All the Time
This is probably the most common sign of an ear infection in infants. If your baby has an ear infection, he or she will cry almost constantly. Nothing will seem to pacify or soothe the baby. Since constant crying can be a sign of many different ailments in infants, you will want to take note whether or not your baby displays any of the following symptoms as well.
Fever Over 101 Degrees
Whenever you think that your baby may be sick, it is a smart idea to take the infant’s temperature. Temperatures over 100.5 degrees in babies are warning signs of illnesses. When a fever is present, the body is trying to fight off viruses or infections. Thus, if your baby has a high temperature, you will want to make an appointment with your pediatrician.
Before you can get your baby to see the pediatrician, treat the fever by giving the infant a fever-reducer like acetaminophen. If it does not seem to be working, you can try giving the baby a bath in lukewarm water. If this does not work either, you should take the baby to a doctor.
Pulling at Ears
One of the best ways to tell that your baby probably has an ear infection is when the infant is continually pulling or tugging at his or her ears. Babies will pull on their ears thinking that if they do, the pain will stop. Of course, the pain does not stop. As such, if you see this symptom in your baby, you will want to make an appointment with your pediatrician right away.
Drainage from the Ears
Many times, when babies have ear infections, there will be a thick, yellowish discharge coming out of the ears. This is also a cause for concern, and you should call your baby’s pediatrician as soon as possible. While this could simply mean an over-abundance of wax buildup, it is also a common sign of ear infections.
Loss of Balance
Ear infections can also cause problems with your baby’s balance. Thus, if you notice that your baby is falling over while sitting or crawling, it could be a sign of an ear infection. In this case, you will want to take note whether or not the baby exhibits any of the above symptoms as well.
Impaired Hearing
Additionally, if your baby does not seem to be hearing noises as well as before, this can also be a sign of an ear infection. Maybe the baby is not responding to such things as barking dogs, vacuum cleaners or other loud noises like you think the infant should be. This is another good reason to call your pediatrician.
Treatments for Ear Infections in Infants
The above symptoms can help your pediatrician determine whether or not your baby has an ear infection. Fortunately, there are many great treatments for ear infections in infants. In the past, doctors strictly treated these infections with antibiotics. However, there are many more alternative treatments today that you can discuss with your pediatrician.
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