Patient's question:
A 1-year-5-month-old child accidentally dug their ear with a cotton swab and cried for two minutes, but then stopped crying and there was no visible broken skin. Is there anything to worry about?Doctor's answer:
Guidance: Considering it may be otitis media caused by, the most common cause is a viral upper respiratory tract infection, such as nasal congestion brought on by fever or the flu, which can easily lead to secondary otitis media. Excessive force when blowing the nose can also cause otitis media. Improperly using the Eustachian tube to expand while ice skating may allow bacteria to enter the middle ear, or a traumatic injury to the eardrum, which can cause bacteria to enter the middle ear from the external auditory canal, leading to otitis media. Due to certain physiological characteristics, infants may develop otitis media if the breastfeeding position is incorrect, such as being held horizontally or lying flat while sucking on a bottle, as milk can easily enter the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, potentially causing infection. Therefore, patients need to undergo a thorough examination by an otolaryngologist for targeted treatment to effectively cure the condition.