Question
My 9-year-old son recently complained of ear pain, and I noticed that the earwax was purulent and slightly yellow. Additionally, his appetite is poor, and his throat feels uncomfortable. How should I treat yellow earwax in a child with otitis media?
Answer
Generally, children with otitis media can be treated with symptomatic antibiotics, which are usually effective. You can also combine this with regional treatment methods, such as using anti-inflammatory ear drops. For children with pronounced ear pain, painkillers can be administered. If the child has a fever, parents can give some fever-reducing medication or take the child to the hospital immediately. In cases of recurrent acute severe symptoms or if an eardrum perforation has occurred, timely surgical treatment should be sought. During the treatment period, it is important to ensure the child stays warm and to avoid exacerbating symptoms by catching a cold.