Ear Infections: Prevention and Intervention

Having an ear infection at any age is a very unpleasant experience. For infants and young children, it can be extremely painful.

Preventive Measures

• Remove irritants and allergy-causing agents from your home — dust, cleaning fluids and tobacco smoke.
• If you or your child is susceptible to food allergies, cut back on wheat products, corn products or specific food that may cause allergic reactions.
• Pay close attention to your baby’s health — particularly if you are not breast-feeding. Bottle-fed babies are more likely to get ear infections.
• Hold you baby upright during bottle-feeding to prevent milk from irritating the tube that connects the back of the nose to the ear.

When to Call the Doctor

• If your baby has symptoms of an ear infection or has difficulty hearing.
• If you or your child have an earache that lasts more than two days.
• If your child’s body temperature rises above 100 degrees.
• If you or your child frequently develop ear infections.