According to studies, ear infections are one of the most common reasons kids visit the doctor before the age of five. But why? What makes ear infections so common among children?

Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis shares some helpful answers.

What Causes a Child’s Ear Infection?

There are technically three different types of ear infections (inner, middle and outer), but the most common type of ear infection among children is the infection of the middle ear. In this type of infection, the middle ear doesn’t get enough fresh air from the eustachian tube.

When there is not enough fresh air ventilating the middle ear, such as when the eustachian tube is clogged or blocked, it creates a perfect breeding ground for germs. Additionally, eustachian tubes are smaller and more level in children than they are in adults, which makes it difficult for fluid to drain out of the ear, even under normal conditions. We’ve listed some common ear infection symptoms below.

Common Ear Infection Symptoms Among Children

• Ear pain, especially when lying down
• Tugging or pulling at an ear
• Trouble sleeping
• Crying more than usual
• Fussiness
• Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
• Loss of balance
• Fever of 100 F or higher
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

How Dangerous Are Ear Infections?

Ear infections are painful for children to experience, but they’re very treatable. If your child experiences any of the above symptoms, visit our AFC center promptly.

Not only will your doctor likely prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection, but visiting a doctor will likely help reduce your child’s earaches as well. Having said all of that, leaving an ear infection untreated is not good for your child’s health, as it can cause some of the health complications that we’ve listed below.

Potential Negative Effects of Untreated Ear Infections

• Mastoiditis (a rare inflammation of a bone adjacent to the ear)
• Hearing loss
• Perforation of the eardrum
• Meningitis
• Facial nerve paralysis

Do you believe your child has an ear infection? If so, don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Memphis team today to get the treatment your child needs to feel better!