Ear Infections in Pregnancy - Understanding Risks and Finding Relief

Introduction:

There are many changes a woman goes through during pregnancy as well as changes in how the body functions. Some common conditions that can be caused by pregnancy related hormonal changes include hearing loss, earaches and ear infections.

The middle ear is the portion of the ear that is most commonly infected and is called acute otitis media. This is caused by either a viral or a bacterial infection, followed by a respiratory or cold illness.

What Are the Possible Reasons for Ear Infection During Pregnancy?

Pregnant females are prone to all sorts of infections due to a sudden hormonal and physiological changes in the body. In addition, pregnant females are at more risk of getting ear infections due to bacterial or viral infections.

Alterations or changes during pregnancy that make pregnant women at higher risk are:

• Increased Basal Metabolic Rate: During pregnancy, the body's demand for oxygen and blood volume increases, resulting in cardiac overload (increased work by the heart) to maintain fluid movements throughout the body. This can result in fluid buildup in the ear, which can lead to earaches in some pregnant females.

• Ear Disorders During Pregnancy: Changes in seasons, allergies, colds, and flu due to extreme weather changes all together form a contributing factor for increased susceptibility to ear infections among pregnant women. Ear infections can also cause other temporary changes like:

1. Vertigo (spinning or rotating sensation in the head).

2. Temporary partial or complete hearing loss.

3. Tinnitus (ringing sensation in the ears).

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Ear Infection During Pregnancy?

Early signs and symptoms of pregnancy ear infections include:

• Sharp or dull pain in the external ears upon palpation; pain might worsen when lying down.

• There is difficulty in hearing sounds clearly.

• A low-grade fever is present due to ear infection.

• There is discharge of pus or clear fluid from the ear.

• Vertigo or feeling-off balance.

What Are Different Treatment Options for Ear Infections During Pregnancy?

The effective ways to treat ear infections are:

1. Antibiotics: It will help to alleviate severe ear infection. Doctors will prescribe antibiotics only in cases of severe ear infection and drugs that fall under pregnancy and do not affect the fetus. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for ear infection in pregnant women are Amoxicillin and Tylenol. Tylenol is otherwise known as Acetaminophen which is an analgesic that helps to relieve pain in an ear infection.

2. Pain Relievers: Pain due to ear infection can be alleviated by over the counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen. During pregnancy, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before taking any medications.

The doctor prescribes various over-the-counter analgesics and antibiotics for ear infections of bacterial or fungal origin based on the diagnosis made from clinical examination and history of the presenting symptoms given by the patient.

Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen, should not be used during pregnancy as they can affect a child's health.

What Are the Other Treatments For Ear Infections in Pregnancy?

The natural remedies that can provide relief from ear infections are:

• Placing a few drops of warm olive oil in the affected ear will alleviate pain and inflammation will be reduced.

• By placing salt bag compression on the affected area can help to alleviate the pain.

• Salt water gargle with warm water can help to reduce inflammation and bacteria can be killed in the throat by which the ear pain can be alleviated indirectly.

• One teaspoon of apple cider vinegar can be mixed with water and the mixture is dabbed with a cotton bud and applied over the infected area.

Can Ear Infections Affect a Baby During Pregnancy?

Any infection during pregnancy can be harmful to both the child and the mother. If there is any delay in diagnosis and treatment of the infection, it can lead to damage in the mother’s and the child’s health. It is recommended to immediately consult a doctor to take the necessary steps to manage the infections.

What Should be Avoided While Experiencing Ear Pain?

The blockage of the ear should not be cleaned manually when there is an ear infection during pregnancy as this can lead to puncturing of the eardrum. Ear canal should be kept as dry as possible as this can avoid bacterial growth.

The antibiotics treatment should be completed with the given antibiotic drops for a middle ear infection. The troubling symptoms during pregnancy should not be avoided although it is only a minor infection as anything that impacts the mother might affect the baby .

How to Prevent Ear Infections During Pregnancy?

Ear infections during pregnancy can be prevented by:

• Not scratching the inner ear with cotton swabs.

• While swimming, it is advisable that the individual wears a swimmer‘s cap or keep the head above.

• The inner rim and outside the ear should be cleaned with soft flannel cloth.

• Soft, clean cloth should be used to remove the water from the ears.

During pregnancy, iron deficiency is common and therefore it is essential to consume iron-rich foods such as dark leafy vegetables, meats, legumes and fortified cereals and will help to maintain the iron levels.

How to Treat a Swimmer's Ear Naturally During Pregnancy?

This can be followed by:

• Keeping the head above water while swimming or playing in water.

• Using ear plugs while swimming.

• Wearing a swimmer’s cap.

• Drying the ears with a towel.

• Tilting the head from side to side which will allow any water to fall out.

• Drying the ears with a hair dryer.

With the recommendation of a healthcare professional, ear drops can be used which contain a mixture of rubbing alcohol and vinegar and both should be half and half. This will help to remove the water that is left in the ear.

Conclusion

There can be temporary hearing loss or lead to severe infection if the ear infection is left out without undergoing any treatment. This infection can spread to the cranial nerve and brain. The two most common symptoms present during pregnancy are vertigo and hearing impairment. Osteosclerosis and eustachian tube dysfunction can lead to hearing loss.