Strategies to Avoid Ear Infections
Ear infections, particularly middle ear infections, can be a painful experience for both children and adults. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting them. Here are some key strategies to keep your ears healthy:
- Frequent and Proper Handwashing: Ear infections are often caused by viruses or bacteria that can enter the body through the nose and mouth. Frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially before eating, touching your face, or being around someone who is sick, can significantly reduce your chances of picking up germs that can lead to an ear infection.
- Manage Allergies and Colds Promptly: Allergies and colds can contribute to ear infections by causing inflammation and congestion in the Eustachian tubes, the tubes that connect the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. Managing allergies with medication as prescribed by your doctor and addressing colds with decongestants or home remedies like saline nasal irrigation can help keep the Eustachian tubes functioning properly and prevent fluid buildup in the middle ear, a common factor in ear infections.
