Question
My 3-year-old daughter has been tugging at her ear, saying it’s itchy. The earwax is purulent and slightly yellow, she has a loss of appetite, and her throat feels uncomfortable. How should I treat her earache and swelling caused by otitis media?
Answer
Generally speaking, for pediatric otitis media, antibiotics can be used for symptomatic treatment, which is relatively effective. You can use regional anti-inflammatory ear drops for treatment. If the main symptom is ear pain, consider using pain-relieving medication. If the child has a fever, you can moderately use fever-reducing medicine. If the condition is severe, seek medical attention promptly. Otitis media usually has a recurrent feature, and if there is a tympanic membrane perforation, immediate medical attention is required. Parents should pay attention to protecting their child’s ears to prevent recurrent otitis media inflammation.