What causes ear pain in children?

Generally speaking, ear pain refers to otalgia. Ear pain in children may be caused by reasons such as cerumen impaction, pressure changes, otitis media, bullous myringitis, mumps, and others. If any discomfort occurs, please seek medical attention promptly and undergo symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Cerumen Impaction

If excessive cerumen is secreted or its drainage is obstructed, it may gradually accumulate and form a blockage in the external auditory canal, known as cerumen impaction. When the cerumen mass stimulates the nerves of the external auditory canal and compresses the skin, ear pain may occur. Avoid frequently cleaning your child's ears to prevent damage to the external auditory canal. Regularly take your child to the hospital for professional physicians to examine and remove cerumen.

2. Pressure Changes

When traveling by airplane, high-speed elevators, or diving, the external air pressure may rapidly change. Due to children's Eustachian tubes being relatively shorter, flatter, and wider than adults, their ability to regulate middle ear pressure is weaker, which may lead to changes in pressure difference across the tympanic membrane, causing congestion and retraction of the tympanic membrane, thereby stimulating nerves and causing ear pain. During pressure changes, encourage children to perform swallowing or chewing movements, such as chewing gum or drinking water, to promote the opening of the Eustachian tube and balance the middle ear pressure.

3. Otitis Media

Otitis media may be related to factors such as water entering the ear, excessive smoking, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, and infections. Under inflammatory stimulation, the tympanic membrane may become congested or perforated, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. It may also be accompanied by tinnitus and hearing loss. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as cefuroxime axetil tablets, cefixime granules, and prednisolone acetate tablets for treatment.

4. Bullous Myringitis

Bullous myringitis is mainly caused by viral infections, such as influenza virus or adenovirus. Viral infection leads to inflammatory lesions of the tympanic membrane and adjacent skin of the external auditory canal, forming blisters containing serum or blood. When the blisters rupture, they can cause severe ear pain. It may also be accompanied by symptoms such as tinnitus and hearing loss. Patients may follow a doctor's guidance to use medications such as ribavirin granules, Pudi Lan Xiao Yan oral liquid, and ibuprofen suspension for treatment.

5. Mumps

Mumps is caused by the mumps virus and primarily affects the parotid glands, but can also involve other salivary glands. When the parotid gland becomes inflamed and swollen, it may compress surrounding tissues, including nerves and blood vessels around the ear, causing referred ear pain. It may also be accompanied by symptoms such as fever and fatigue. Patients may follow a doctor's recommendations to use medications such as composite houttuynia cordata liquid, ribavirin granules, and acetaminophen tablets for treatment.

In daily life, educate children not to randomly touch or clean their ears with hands or other objects, maintain cleanliness and dryness of the external auditory canal, and use cotton balls gently to block the external auditory canal opening during hair washing or bathing to prevent water from entering the ears. At the same time, encourage children to engage in appropriate outdoor activities and ensure sufficient sleep to enhance their immunity and reduce the occurrence of diseases.