My daughter was at the doctor yesterday for a recheck on her ears. The doctor said it was no longer infected, but she still had "some fluid back there" that would probably need to continue to drain. What does "fluid" in your ear mean? Where is the fluid? Does it drain on it's own. What can I do to help?
I grew up having numerous ear infections...and there is not a whole lot you can do to make them drain faster, other than antibiotics. If they are still painful, it does help to put a warm compress on the infected ear.
My son is almost 14 months. Between the ages of 3 months and 12 months he had 6 ear infections....they kept recurring because there was always fluid still in his ears (which we didn't quite catch until he was 10 months old). After 2 months of "watching & waiting" to see if the fluid would drain, we were referred to an ENT. The problem is that there is a tube from the ear that drains into the back of the childs throat (and/or nose). When kids are little, that tube is scrunched up and fluid does not drain properly. If the fluid stays in the ear, the chances of it getting infected increase dramatically. Since our son had already had several doses of antibiotics (without success), the ENT suggested ear tubes. It is a very quick procedure. It does not guarantee to completly elimiate ear infections, but it will decrease them...and will help the fluid drain out of the ears, and that is the most important thing....get the fluid out. It is really important to get the fluid out, as it can muffle what your daughter is hearing and make things sound as if she was underwater....which in turn can affect her speech. I would really suggest talking to an ENT (ear-nose-throat) specialist to get their opinion.
I am a nurse and a mom to 2 1/2 yo Brandon. I can't tell you exactly what the fluid is, but it is just the body's reponse to an infection. The fluid is behind the eardrum, causing the tympanic membrane (which covers the eardrum... like a drum skin) to bulge, which is what causes pain. Usually with an infection, there will be a small hole in this membrane because of the pressure, which allows fluid (pus if it's infected)to escape. The fluid will drain on its own. To help ease the pain, give acetaminaphen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) as directed on the package for your child's age and weight. A warm compress on the ear may help, too. I've also seen a product called "ear relief" by Simalsin (not sure of that spelling). It is a homeopathic remedy for ear pain, and does come in a children's form. It is a drop that goes directly into the ear. I've seen it at Target and Fred Meyers.
Do not put anything into the ear canal to remove fluid or debris. You can clean the outer part, just make sure you can always see the entire end of the q-tip (or whatever).
Hope your kiddo gets better soon.
I as an adult have dealt with this issue a few times. I know that the fluid is behind the ear drum and that it is not infection. It makes it sound like your ear is stuffed with a cotton ball though. When I went to the doctor for it on two different occasions I was told to take an over the counter antihistimine because it dries you out. I guess it's the same reason I was told not to take it while I was breast feeding( because it would dry my milk up). Though I don't know exactly how it works, all I do know is that it really did. Hope this is helpful.
Hi there G.,
After an ear infection or a cold fluid can collect in the middle ear. That's the space behind the ear drum where all the tiny little bones that allow us to process sound are located. It's quite common in children because the Eustachian tube which connects the middle ear to the throat is shaped differently in children than in adults. That's why kids have more ear infections than adults do. The antibiotics your daughter were on took care of the infection in the middle ear, that's the part that can damage the middle ear. The fluid isn't damaging her ear. It muffles sound so her hearing isn't as acute right now, but that will improve as the fluid slowly drains.
What can you do to help? Don't stress too much, everyone picks up on mama worry. If her ear aches you can heat a slightly damp hand towel or fill a very dense sock with rice and heat that in the microwave and hold it to her ear. That warmth is very comforting.
Best of luck,
M. P
I'm just now getting clear of the fluid back there in my ear. It can be common after a cold or ear infection to have fluid behind the ear drum that slowly drains by itself. I had it for several weeks, perhaps a couple of months. I had it for several weeks. It's nothing to be concenrned over. Because I was in the process of getting hearing aids I was quite concerned and even saw a ENT specialist. He reassured me that it just takes time for it to drain and it wouldn't affect my hearing once it was out. All that I could do was wait.
Fluid normally drains from the ear down the throat. When a child has a cold, or other problem, the tube can become blocked and cause the fluid to fill up the space behind the ear drum that is normally just air. The fluid then can become infected with bacteria and becomes a perfect breading ground. After the bacteria (infection) is gone, the fluid still takes a while to drain and can be present for upto a couple months. It can cause decreased hearing temporarily, but is safe.
G.,
These are questions you should have asked the doctor at the appointment. Call them and talk with the advice nurse. Ask her the questions and if she can't answer them, she will find out for you.
Many years ago I use to worked for this company called Xlear Inc. They sell a nasal spray that is natural and safe even for infants. The spray contains Saline and Xylitol which can help all kinds of things from allergies, asthma, sinus problems to ear infections just from using this nasal spray. I talked to many people on the phone who called in to order more of the spray so these were real people with real problems who had great results from using this product that was not habit forming like other nasal sprays on the market. Some of these people had been suffering for years with no relief until they started using Xlear.
Xylitol has amazing properties in fighting off infection and strengthening the immune system. You'll find Xylitol in chewing gum now because instead of creating cavities like sugar can it does the opposite in protecting against cavities. Xylitol is found in mother's milk and in vegetables and fruits.
Go to their website for more info: www.Xlear.com. On the website you will see a Xlear Inc news link to a recent article about EAR INFECTIONS. Here is that link as well: http://www.xlear.com/xlearinc/news/display_article.aspx?a...
You can find on their site local stores in your area that have the nasal spray.
My son just got over an ear infection as well and when I took him in, the dr. said the same thing. I asked about it and he said that when you get an ear infection fluid builds up and then once the infection is gone, the fluid drains back down through the sinuses. There is nothing you can do to help the process.
