When bacteria or viruses infiltrate the outer ear canal or middle ear, a painful infection can result. Experiencing repeated ear infections and hearing loss can result in acute symptoms, such as pain, fever, and more.
Here are some practical tips for preventing both acute and chronic ear infections in Georgetown, Texas.
1# Get Vaccinated
This tip applies to both children and adults. Middle ear infection, or otitis media, often occurs secondarily to a bout of the flu or the common cold. The Centers for Disease Control advises parents to keep children on schedule with age-appropriate vaccines and an annual flu shot during wellness visits at the pediatrician’s office. The CDC adds that the pneumococcal vaccine protects children from a common germ responsible for ear infections.
2# Encourage a Healthy Diet
Both adults and kids stay healthier throughout the cold and flu season when diets are high in fruits and vegetables, particularly those rich in Vitamin C. Drinking at least eight glasses of water daily helps the immune system, too, and of course, avoid high-sugar carbs (junk food) which deliver no real nutritional value.
3# Infants Should Be Breastfed
Moms should nurse exclusively for the first six months of infants’ lives and then continue to breastfeed and introduce solids up to one year of age. Breastfeeding confers powerful natural immunity to a wide range of illnesses. It also avoids middle ear infections related to propping bottles to soothe babies to sleep.
4# Avoid All Cigarette Smoke
If you smoke, see your PCP for a tobacco cessation program. In 2006, the US Surgeon General reported a definitive link between secondhand smoke in the home and otitis media in children.
5# Keep Ears Clean
Ear cleanliness reduces bacteria and viruses retained in the ear canal. Use a washcloth and warm water to cleanse the canal and outer ear gently. Never insert cotton swabs or other hard objects into the ear canal. If you suspect you or your child have a wax (cerumen) build-up, use an over-the-counter bulb syringe and wax softener to remove it.
Additionally, when swimming, use ear plugs to prevent water from entering the ear canal and being retained. Swimmer’s ear–also called otitis externa–is characterized by redness, pain, and swelling caused by germs in the water.
6# Get an Expert Evaluation with Your ENT Doctor
Sometimes, even the best of precautions could not prevent ear infections. If you or your child has ear infections, consult with your ENT doctor. He/She can help you decide on the best course of treatment, including the possibility of surgical placement of ear tubes, adenoidectomy, or dilation of the eustachian tube connecting the ear to the throat.
Best ENT doctors in Georgetown, Texas
If you or your child are experiencing frequent ear infections, contact the experienced ENT specialists at Georgetown ENT. We offer a comprehensive range of adult and pediatric ear, nose, and throat healthcare services. We provide effective treatments forpatients with acute and recurring ear infections, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hearing-related balance problems.
To learn more about our range of services or to book a consultation with one of our board-certified ENT physicians, call our office today at (512) 869-0604 or request an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
