During pregnancy, your health will change a lot, especially the weakened immune system makes it more susceptible to disease. If pregnant women have otitis media, care should be taken to reduce the discomfort.
If you have otitis media while pregnant, the treatment will need more attention and attention. Middle ear infections are usually caused by a fungal infection of the ear, a buildup of wax, or pressure that forms while you sleep. Here are the causes and treatments for pregnant women with otitis media.
Middle ear infections happen when pathogens like bacteria or viruses enter your ears. These pathogens can cause many common diseases such as purulent discharge, colds, allergies, sinusitis, tonsillitis.
This inflammation causes the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting the middle ear and throat) to become blocked, causing fluid to build up in the middle ear and cause infection. In some cases, otitis media can also cause tinnitus and hearing loss.
Accumulation of earwax.
Pressure on your ears while sleeping or lying on your side.
If you have had chronic otitis media, you are more likely to get middle ear infections during pregnancy.
There are a few symptoms to help identify the middle ear infection condition such as:
Severe ear pain, feeling like a hammer hitting the ear
Hearing loss
Headache
Fluid from the ear
Feeling of pressure in the ear
The middle ear canal or inner ear is swollen.
You will usually not notice if your ears are swollen or not, and your doctor will examine you for these symptoms.
Ear infections often manifest very clearly. If you have chronic and unclear inflammation, you should see your doctor right away.
Although home remedies will be simpler for pregnant women with mild otitis media, you should still consult your doctor before use.
Vinegar
Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar are both known natural fungicides. The vinegar kills and rinses the fungus out of your ears.
Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of water together.
Lie on your side with the inflamed ear upwards.
Dip a cotton pad in the mixture and place it in the inflamed ear.
Leave the cotton pad for about 15 minutes and lie on your side to allow the water to drain.
Let the ear completely dry.
Do it 2 times / day, you can get rid of ear infections in 2 or 3 days.
You can also put the mixture in your ears using a dropper. Shake your head gently and place the cotton pad in your ear for about 15 minutes and then remove. Use a cotton ball to help dry your ears.
Salt bag
When you have ear pain from a cold or sinus infection , you can relieve the pain by placing a warm salt bag or hot water bottle over the affected ear area.
You can make your own salt bag by adding 100g of salt to a pan and heating it. Wrap the salt with a clean cloth and wrap it outside. Place the bag over your ear and pat it gently until the temperature drops. This will also help reduce the pressure on your ears.
Garlic oil
Garlic has antibacterial properties, so it can help treat otitis media. Put 3 drops of garlic oil in the inflamed ear. This is a safe practice, but if you have severe ear infections it may take a while for the ear to clear.
Olive oil or mineral oil
Put 2 drops of mineral oil or olive oil in the inflamed ear, the oil will soften the earwax clogged in the ear and make it easier to get out of the ear. If you still have pain or if the wax is too stiff, you should see your doctor.
Warm towels
Warm a towel or cloth with a heater or iron and place a warm towel over the inflamed ear area. This can help relieve pain.
Steam
A steam bath will help thin mucus and reduce ear pain and ear infections caused by colds, flu or sinus infections.
Antibiotic
In the case of severe and chronic otitis media, an antibiotic will be prescribed by your doctor after it is determined that the drug does not affect the fetus. Therefore, these antibiotics are often in the safe for the fetus as recommended by the Ministry of Health.
Amoxicillin and Tylenol of group B are prescribed for pregnant women with otitis media. Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen, is a pain reliever that makes you more comfortable.
Ear drops are also often prescribed. The medicine is placed on the tip of a cotton swab and inserted into the ear. This way, the drug will work faster and have the least effect on the fetus.
Surgery
Surgery is a rare option and the doctor's last resort. If the otitis media doesn't go away, your doctor will need surgery to drain fluid from the middle ear. This will help you hear better and reduce your discomfort. Surgery will also be done if your tonsils are too large and pose no danger to mother or baby.
When the bacteria in the ear don't get into the bloodstream, the fetus is still unaffected. You can take medicine to treat an ear infection early before any complications occur. However, otitis media is also a quite common disease in children, you can also learn about the cause, symptoms and how to prevent and cure otitis media in children.
Avoid getting water in your ears. Water in the ear increases moisture and causes more bacteria to multiply.
Clean the ears periodically with a cotton swab
Do not use a cotton swab if your earache is caused by wax buildup in the ear. Cotton swabs will push the wax deeper, increasing the pressure and causing ear pain.
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