Dealing with ear pain can be excruciating and when your child is dealing with an ear infection, you want to do everything possible to reduce their pain. It’s important that you can also understand what could cause ear infections so that you can take steps to reduce your child’s risk of dealing with one. Dr. Jeffrey Mantia at Grandville Pediatrics in Grandville, MI, can explain what causes ear infections and what steps you can take to help protect your child from future ear infections.

Causes of Ear Infections in Children

Children are still developing, and this can have an effect on how their body functions. Because the structure of a child’s ear is smaller than an adult, this can cause issues with draining, which can in turn cause an ear infection. Ear infections often occur as a result of another sickness. This could be a cold or the flu.

Fluid can build up behind the eardrum and bacteria can easily travel to the middle ear and cause an infection. Ear infections can often occur in children because they have weaker immune systems and are exposed to bacteria and germs frequently. It’s important to have your child wash their hands often, avoid other sick children, and avoid exposure to factors like cigarette smoke.

If your child deals with ear infections on a regular basis, our pediatrician in Grandville, MI, may recommend a tube to help drain fluid. This can help prevent ear infections in the future and help keep your child free of pain and infection.

Contact Our Pediatrician Today

Make sure that you understand what could be causing your child’s ear infections. Contact Dr. Jeffrey Mantia at Grandville Pediatrics in Grandville, MI, to learn more about ear infections and why they might occur. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (616) 538-2410.