What Causes Frequent Ear Infections in Kids?

Ear infections are a common problem for many kids — in fact, five out of six kids will have at least one ear infection by the time they reach their third birthday. While an occasional infection generally isn’t anything to worry about, repeated ear infections can be painful for kids and frustrating for their parents — and they can lead to permanent hearing loss, too.

Understanding what contributes to frequent ear infections can help you take steps to reduce your child’s risk and recognize when prompt medical care is important. In this post, our pediatric team at Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy reviews some of the most common culprits that could be behind your child’s chronic ear infections.

Immature eustachian tubes

Eustachian tubes are narrow canals that help spent fluids drain from your ear while also balancing ear pressure. In young kids, these tubes are shorter, narrower, and in a more horizontal position than in older kids and adults, making it easier for fluid to get trapped behind the eardrum. In turn, trapped fluid creates an ideal environment for germs to grow.

As a child develops, their eustachian tubes develop, too, growing longer and becoming more “slanted,” so fluid drains more easily. That’s a major reason why ear infections are much more common during early childhood, especially during cold and flu season.

Frequent colds and respiratory infections

Ear infections often develop after a cold or other upper respiratory infection. Congestion and inflammation block normal ear drainage, increasing painful pressure and trapping fluid so germs are able to multiply more rapidly.

Very young kids may not blow their noses effectively or often enough, either, meaning germs aren’t cleared out as regularly as needed to prevent infection.

Group activities and germ exposure

Group settings, like classrooms and daycare centers, are “hot beds” for colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses simply because kids are in close contact in these environments. Respiratory ailments pass through the air and through contact with infected surfaces or objects, like toys, desks, or sports equipment. 

At the same time, a child’s immune system is still developing, which means they haven’t developed the germ-fighting “tools” they need to fight off infections effectively. It also means even low-level exposures are more likely to cause infections in younger children compared to older kids and adults.

Allergies and chronic congestion

Like many adults, kids are prone to allergies, as well as the nasal congestion and inflammation they cause. As a result, allergies can interfere with normal ear drainage just like colds and flu. 

In Hawaii, environmental allergens like pollen and mold, along with humidity-related triggers, can all contribute. What’s more, chronic congestion makes some kids more vulnerable to repeated ear issues. If your child has allergies, an effective management plan could play an important role in decreasing ear infection frequency, too.

Exposure to secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke irritates the lining of a child’s nose and throat, and it can affect the way your child’s eustachian tubes function, too. Swelling and inflammation affect how the eustachian tubes function, resulting in trapped fluid and an increased risk of ear infections. 

Avoiding smoke is important for avoiding ear infections — and it benefits your child’s overall wellness, too.

Swimming and other water exposure

Swimming is a great way for kids to get exercise and stay social. Unfortunately, for many kids, swimming and other water exposure can sometimes lead to ear problems. When moisture is trapped in the ear, it creates a warm, moist environment for germs — and that means an increased risk of infection. 

Hawaii offers plenty of opportunities for swimming year-round. Paying special attention to drying your child’s ears after any contact with water can go a long way toward warding off water-related ear infections.

Prompt ear infection care is critical

Ear infections might not seem like a big deal, but when treatment is delayed, they can lead to more widespread infection and other serious complications. Severe or chronic infections can even lead to permanent hearing loss.

If your child has any sign of an ear infection, like ear or jaw pain, reduced hearing, fever, or ear discharge, request an appointment online or over the phone with our expert team at your nearest Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy office in Kihei, Kahului, or Lahaina, Hawaii, today. We offer telehealth visits, too.