One of the most common childhood complains seen by all practitioners (if not THE most common problem) is earache. Earache can and does occur at all ages, but it seems most common in babies and young children. There are two types of ear infections and several possible causes of other, non infection, ear pains.

Most ear infections which are extremely painful are infections of the “middle ear”, the area behind the ear drum. This is called “acute otitis media” and means that there is a build up of mucus behind the ear drum causing pressure and pain. The middle ear is not a sealed chamber, it connects to the throat near the mouth by means of the Eustachian tube and when a patient has a cold, flu or virus infection there is plenty of scope for bacteria and virus to migrate from the infected mouth or throat into this tiny space of the inner ear. If this area becomes infected, it becomes red, tender and swollen and a build up of mucus or pus can become so great that the ear drum bursts and a nasty discharge occurs—this is often seen on the patient’s pillow in the morning. Most infections of the inner ear heal by themselves in two or three days. If this has not occurred you need to see your doctor and receive medical help. The reader should remember, however, that even when the ear drum bursts under pressure and a discharge occurs, the vast majority of ear infections heal by themselves and the ear drum heals as well without recourse to major medical intervention. If the ear drum fails to heal properly, surgical repair may be necessary. Acute and prolonged ear infections usually yield to antibiotic treatment.