Question
A 9-year-old boy has been complaining that his ear itches and hurts recently. This morning, he had yellow earwax discharge, and his ear was buzzing. He also had a slight fever. What should be done when a child’s ear itches, hurts, and discharges yellow fluid due to otitis media?
Answer
Generally, antibiotic treatment can be considered for a child’s otitis media, which is usually effective. A bacterial culture of the ear secretion can be performed, and an anti-inflammatory ear drop can be used based on the test results. If the child’s ear pain and yellow fluid discharge are severe, it is recommended to take some painkillers to relieve the symptoms. If the child has a high fever, consider taking fever-reducing medication. However, if the high fever persists, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. In addition to the above methods, if the child experiences a perforation of the eardrum, immediate medical treatment and surgery are necessary. Also, during the treatment process, it is important to arrange for a light diet for the child and increase nutritional supplementation to aid in a quicker recovery.