Pain, pain go away: Kids' common EENT problems

MANILA, Philippines -  Whether it’s during their daycare sessions or in the middle of an out-of-town family vacation, children are always exposed to various factors that put them at risk of contracting various eye, ear, nose and throat (EENT) problems.

However, the good news is parents can help their kids steer clear of the possible pain and discomfort caused by these by keeping them healthy and knowing useful remedies to help catch the condition in its earlier stages.

Premier health institution Makati Medical Center provides a brief overview on some common EENT problems in children — from signs and symptoms, to diagnosis and treatment.

Sore eyes

Conjunctivitis, or “sore eyes,” is one of the common eye problems contracted by young children. According to Dr. Alvin Santos of MakatiMed’s Ophthalmology Department, the condition is characterized by the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that blankets the white part of the eye and the under surface of the eyelids.

He added that sore eyes are caused by viruses that also cause colds, or even by an allergy harbored by the child. “Many external irritants can cause the development of red eyes, so the symptoms can differ from child to child,” he said.

However, he noted that common telltale signs include eye discomfort (“Your child may feel that there is something that resembles sand inside his or her eye”) and redness of the eye and inner eyelid.

Sore eyes can be self-limiting (no medication needed) but Santos recommended preventive measures to avoid contracting the condition altogether.

“It is best to teach your kids to wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water, as well as avoid sharing personal items such as towels and pillowcases with other kids. These are effective measures that lower their chances of getting sore eyes,” he said.

Ear infections

The more common EENT problems experienced by children include the dreaded ear infections, which may be external such as swimmer’s ear, or middle ear infections from colds.

Commonly used home remedies for external ear infections include the use of vinegar used as eardrops. Furthermore, middle ear infections are more common in children because of the shorter distances between their middle ear chambers and their nasal cavity. Physician/EENT consultation is important before complications set in. 

These infections are characterized by the presence of fluid in the child’s ear, which may turn to pus. “The fluid is normally accompanied by pain, redness of the eardrum and fever,” said Dr. Ricardo Fernandez, chairman of MakatiMed’s EENT Department.

“Typically, your child may complain of an ear ache or just be abnormally irritable and have trouble sleeping,” he said.

He said the best plan of action would be to consult the doctor for medical advice to avoid dreaded complications such as ruptured eardrums and bone infection.

“With the right antibiotics, your child should be able to feel relief from pain in due time,” he said.

Nosebleeds

When it comes to children, nosebleeds are common occurrences. “Nosebleeds happen when any one of the small veins found in this body part’s lining suddenly bursts,” Fernandez said.

“And sometimes with kids, this happens when they pick their nose too roughly, blow them too hard or even play in the sun too much,” he said.

He said the first thing to do when a child suddenly experiences a nosebleed, would be to calm the child down. “Children tend to get scared at the sight of blood because it makes the entire thing look worse than it really is. Have the child sit down and hold (his or her) nostrils using your fingers — if you have a handkerchief, that would be better. Then pinch the soft part of the nose with your thumb and forefinger, and hold that position for about 10 minutes. The bleeding should stop then — but if it doesn’t, you can repeat the process, or call the doctor. You can also apply cold compress over the nasal area to constrict the blood vessels.”

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is one of the major EENT problems in children that need immediate care and treatment as tonsils (the body part — comprised of lumps of tissue found in both sides of the back of the throat — affected by the condition) are part of the immune system. Tonsils are responsible for fighting germs that may cause infections in the throat, nose and sinuses.

According to Fernandez, viral types of tonsillitis may be contagious and can be spread through sneezing, touching or even coughing. “It’s important to be aware of the different symptoms of tonsillitis in children,” he warned.

“Take a look at your child’s tonsils — if he or she has tonsillitis, these will be raw, red or swollen or have gray-white or yellowish coating and patches on them,” he said.

If left untreated, he said, tonsillitis can lead to other conditions such as fever, headache, earache, and even abdominal pain.

“Once your child complains of pain while swallowing and difficulty eating, check for signs of tonsillitis right away,” he advised.

“Early detection allows you to consult the doctor earlier and put your child on prescribed medications that will help relieve the pain caused by the condition,” he said.

By becoming aware of common EENT problems in children, Fernandez said, parents will be better-equipped to handle sudden infections or complaints of pain or discomfort.

“Knowing how to identify different EENT problems enables you, as a parent, to handle the situation better and help ease the pain for your child at an earlier time. It also helps prevent more serious illnesses from developing, which can happen if the condition is left undiagnosed or untreated for a prolonged period of time,” he said.

For nosebleeds, Fernandez suggested applying cold compress over the nasal area to constrict the blood vessels and stop the bleeding.

When it comes to ear infections, the best plan of action would be to consult the doctor for medical advice to avoid dreaded complications such as ruptured eardrums and bone infection.