Question
How to treat pediatric otitis media with traditional Chinese medicine?
Answer
In treating otitis media with traditional Chinese medicine, during the acute stage, bed rest and symptomatic treatment are recommended. Antimicrobial agents such as sulfonamides and antibiotics can be used. Before the tympanic membrane perforates, 2% to 5% phenol glycerin drops can be administered in the ear three times a day, three to four drops per time. If the ear pain is severe, the tympanic membrane is bulging outward, or the perforation is small with poor pus drainage, consider surgical tympanic membrane incision. After the tympanic membrane perforates, first wash the ear with 3% boric acid solution or 3% hydrogen peroxide, then choose a type of ear drop such as 2% phenol glycerin, 2.5% chloramphenicol glycerin, 1% to 2% gentamicin, or 1% berberine solution. Simultaneously, use drops containing 1% ephedrine to promote the inflammation and patency of the eustachian tube for better drainage of the middle ear. If pus discharge stops and the tympanic membrane perforation has healed but hearing remains poor, consider performing an indirect eustachian tube balloon dilation.