Smoking and Ear Infection in Children

Researchers are of the opinion that secondhand smoking causes ear infections in children. Affecting the age group of six years and below, the middle ear infection can be avoided when one is cautious about not smoking around toddlers. Find how vulnerable your infant can be towards smoking by reading the following article.

Canadian researchers state that there is a disturbing connection between secondhand smoking and middle ear infection in babies and young children. They also claim that an infant’s risk towards developing ear infections increases when exposed to smoking in the first three years. Infact, infants become 85% more vulnerable to developing middle ear infections.

Why is Secondhand Smoke Considered Harmful for Kids?

Secondhand smoke is also referred to as Environmental Tobacco Smoke or ETS. The smoke is believed to contain harmful toxic substances, out of which about 40 or more substances can cause cancer. Researchers are of the opinion that secondhand smoke has high concentrations of these harmful substances than that inhaled by smokers directly.

Why is Secondhand Smoke More Harmful for Children?

Secondhand smoke is considered to be harmful for children because of the following reasons:

What is the Middle Ear Infection?

Middle ear infections in children usually arise when the kids are suffering from a cold, sore throat or an allergy. This results in the swelling up of the nose and throat. The fluids which are meant to escape through the middle ear also get blocked and accumulate behind the eardrum. The germs gradually spread into the middle ear which is often accompanied with pain and fever. This infection is called the “Otitis Media”.
Symptoms of an Ear Infection

The most common symptoms of an ear infection are the following:

How to Prevent Middle Ear Infection?

Avoid smoking at home if you have an infant trying to survive and fight the toxins around you. Some ways to prevent middle ear infections are:

Some parents claim that not smoking around their kids can reduce the risks of developing middle ear infections in children. This is not true as a child can be affected by the fumes on the hair or clothing of the parent as well.

Treatment for Middle Ear Infections

Over the counter drugs are common for treating middle ear infections in children. However, consult a doctor before using any drugs to cure ear pain and fever. Ear drops and hot compressors are also used for reducing the pain and discomfort in the ears. Aspirin, antihistamines and decongestants are an absolute no-no for children below six years of age.

Secondhand smoke affects children mainly due to a reduced response of the immune system. Middle ear infections gradually become less common among children when they attain the age of six. So quit smoking in order to give the tiny pair of ears some rest and peace.

One Response to “Smoking and Ear Infection in Children”

  1. Tanisha Says:
    January 7th, 2009 at 8:01 am

    I dont know what to do because my mother in law will not stop smoking and my son has asthma and my daughter is 1 and has had about 5 ear infections in the past 3 months. It has been very difficult for her ear to heal and I don’t think her nor my husband understands that even if she smokes outside it is still harmful for my children. What should I do?

Leave a Reply