Dear Doc,
A second opinion is always good, and I write to ask you for yours. My daughter’s paediatrician says not to worry about her ear infection at the time, but it was happening so frequently, I couldn’t help but be concerned. It hasn’t happened over the last few weeks we’ve all been at home, and she wasn’t going to the nursery. She started nursery again three weeks ago and I worry that the ear infection will return. – Sharika Dear Sharika,
I am sorry to hear of your daughter’s repeated ear infections. I am sure this is of great concern to you. If your paediatrician said not to worry, it probably is an uncomplicated infection and easily treated.
However, if your daughter is having them so frequently you could look at possible causes. They are not contagious so she cannot get it from someone at nursery. Common causes however include frequent swimming, sometimes in contaminated water. Also, individuals with severe “dandruff”, the fungus from the scalp can be washed into the ear or even transferred from under the fingernail to the ear. Therefore, as much as possible discourage scratching within the ear canal. In addition, individuals with severe rhinosinusitis, “allergies” where they cough and sneeze frequently from dust or smoke for example, may acquire frequent wax collection within the ear.
Children tend to have shorter ear canals than adults and tend to get ear infections more frequently. They tend to grow out of it as they age. Some individuals have an abnormally shaped ear canal which predisposes to frequent infections.
Treat or avoid possible causes, such as the “dandruff” to decrease the chance of recurrence.
