Smelly Baby Ear, Alert Symptoms of Ear Infection

Mother, do not ignore the unpleasant smell that comes from the Little One's ear, because the baby's ear smell can be a symptom of ear infection, you know! But do not worry, Mother can do maintenance at home to overcome them. Basically, earwax is the body's natural way to protect the ear from entry of germs, and foreign objects such as dust that have the potential to infect the eardrum. Another case if the baby's ears smell and are accompanied by white or yellowish fluid, it becomes a sign that your baby's ear is infected.

Signs and Symptoms of Ear Infection

The main cause of baby's ear odor is middle ear infection (otitis media). This condition occurs due to inflammation in the middle ear which causes a buildup of fluid behind the eardrum and then becomes infected. This ear infection can be caused by bacteria or viruses. In addition to smelly baby's ears, here are the signs and symptoms of ear infections in your child that you can recognize:

• Yellowish white liquid comes out

This indicates a small hole in the eardrum. But don't worry, the discharge will stop once the infection is treated.

• Loss of appetite

This is because ear infections make chewing and swallowing painful.

• Hard to sleep

Reclining position makes ear infections more painful, so the baby has difficulty sleeping.

• Fever

Like most infectious diseases, ear infections in infants and children can also cause fever. Fever is an immune response to fight infection.

• The emergence of pain

Little will experience pain in the ear. Because of this, he will often cry and more

• Difficulty listening and body imbalance problems

A buildup of fluid in the middle ear can interfere with hearing. If the infection has spread to the inner ear, there will be a disturbance in the body's balance, which is usually seen in children who can walk, that is, from the unstable way of walking

Ways to Deal With Baby's Ear Smells Due to Infection

Baby's ear smells due to bacterial infection can be overcome by administering antibiotics according to doctor's prescription. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics for consumption for 7 to 10 days. If your child has a fever and feels pain in his ear, the doctor will prescribe painkillers and fever relievers such as paracetamol, and ear drops. The use of antibiotics must be carefully and according to doctor's instructions, this is to prevent the development of bacteria that can become resistant to antibiotics. Sometimes, ear infections do not require any treatment and can heal on their own. But if there is no progress after two to three days, contact your doctor immediately.

Home Care to Overcome Ear Infection

Here are some tips on how to care independently at home that you can do to overcome the baby's ear smell due to infection are:

• Warm compresses

Try your baby's ear warm compress for about 10 to 15 minutes. This can help reduce pain.

• Maintain adequate fluid

Keep your child hydrated by giving him enough fluid. Because swallowing can help open the eustachian tubes so that trapped fluid can flow.

• Raise your baby's head

Put two pillows under the mattress / mattress Little to improve drying sinus. Don't put pillows directly under the baby's head.

• Avoid using pacifiers

The use of pacifiers or pacifiers was not recommended for babies with ear infections. This is because using a pacifier to soothe an infant who has an ear risk of recurring ear infections.

You can also take the following steps to prevent ear infections:

• Give milk at least 6-12 months. The antibodies found in breast milk will protect the baby from ear infections.
• If you give formula or breast milk through a bottle, the baby's breastfeeding position must be semi-erect so that milk does not flow back into the duct
• Keep your child from exposure to cigarette smoke. Exposure to cigarette smoke can make ear infections worse.
• Also make sure your child has received complete immunization. Additional flu vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines are also good for preventing disease in infants.

Infants and children are indeed more susceptible to ear infections, because they have smaller eustachian tubes and are easily clogged. As the child grows into adulthood, this channel will become larger, so that the fluid can be drained more easily. See a doctor immediately if after three days of treatment, the baby's ear odor does not heal and there is no improvement in symptoms. Especially if your child still has a fever and accompanied by blood or pus discharge from the ear.