Ear Infection Archives

When Should You Worry About Your Infant Vomiting?

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

It’s common for infants to struggle with keeping food and liquids down as they eat, particularly during their first month of life. However, certain symptoms accompanying this vomiting may indicate a more serious underlying medical problem with your child, potentially requiring a visit to a pediatric specialist. Some of these conditions include:

Gastroenteritis: Symptoms that may indicate gastroenteritis include mild diarrhea, irritability, stomach pain, and a poor appetite. This condition typically goes away on its own within a week, but if your baby starts to display symptoms such as dry skin, mouth, or eyes, a lack of tears, no wet diapers for up to 12 hours, or an unusual level of sleepiness or fatigue, they may be dehydrated and require an immediate visit to a pediatrician.

Ear infection: If your baby has an ear infection, it could cause nausea and vomiting without a fever. Some other symptoms they may experience include pain or discomfort in one or both ears, muffled hearing, and diarrhea. While an ear infection will usually resolve on its own without treatment, you should still take them to a pediatrician in case antibiotics are needed; severe infections could potentially damage a baby’s hearing.

Overheating: Hot weather and warm environments could overheat your baby, causing them to vomit and become dehydrated. In more serious cases, this can even lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Make sure to get your baby into a cooler environment and hydrate them as soon as possible; if they continue to display symptoms such as pale skin, abnormal irritability, and fatigue, get them medical attention immediately.

Pyloric stenosis: This rare condition occurs when the pathway between the stomach and the intestines is too narrow, leading to excessive vomiting as well as dehydration, weight loss, constipation, and abnormally few wet diapers and bowel movements. Surgery is required to correct this condition; tell your pediatrician right away if you notice these symptoms.

Intussusception: This rare intestinal condition occurs when a baby’s intestine is damaged and slips into another part of the intestine. Aside from vomiting without a fever, a baby with intussusception may experience severe stomach cramps that cause them to curl their knees up to their chest, as well as fatigue, nausea, and blood or mucus in their bowel movements. Treatment for this condition involves pushing the intestine back into place.

If your child is experiencing symptoms of any of these conditions, they can receive specialized treatment at Forest Hills Pediatrics Specialists. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 704-5020.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Itchy Ears

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Michael Hinck

Have you ever had an itch in your ear and gone to someone older in your family to find out why? If the answer is yes, you may have heard that itching ears mean that someone is talking about you.

With all due respect to those spreaders of old wives’ tales, there is probably a more credible medical reason why our ears itch on occasion. The hard part is figuring out which of the many possible conditions or habits is causing this reaction.

Identifying the culprit can lead to appropriate treatment for itchy ears. Here are some potential causes:

Psoriasis – Pain or itching on the skin on or around your ear might be an indication of psoriasis, a relatively common skin condition. If this is the case, you might notice a buildup of rough, dry, red patches or scales in the external area of your ear that can itch or hurt. There are a variety of treatment options including topical medications or steroids.
Skin allergies – The skin inside your ears can itch because of an allergic reaction to something that is applied in or near your ear. A new hair product may be the culprit and earrings that contain nickel have also been known to cause an allergic reaction. Be mindful whenever introducing anything new to your skin and stop using it if you believe it is the cause.
Food allergies – Similar to reactions from skin contact, some might have an allergic reaction to something they ate, causing their ears to itch. Certain fruits, vegetables, or tree nuts are the most common sources of food allergies. A doctor can test for the source of a food allergy, determine the severity and prescribe the appropriate medication.
Hay fever – This condition, also known as allergic rhinitis, occurs when individuals have allergic reactions to particles commonly found in the atmosphere. These particles range from animal fur to dust mites and pollen. Experiencing itchy ears along with watery eyes and a runny nose is not uncommon among hay fever sufferers.
Infections – Itchy ears can sometimes be a sign of an ear infection. Bacteria and viruses cause them, usually when you have a cold or the flu. One kind of infection, swimmer’s ear, can happen when water stays in your ear after you swim. To stop the itch, you’ll need to treat the infection, possibly with ear drops or antibiotics.
Improper cleaning – Placing cotton swabs into your ears can inflame your ear canal and leave you itching. Pins, paper clips, matchsticks, and your fingers can also scratch the skin inside your ears, making it easy for bacteria to enter and cause an infection. Excessive ear wax build-up can also cause your ears to itch. Your doctor can remove excessive wax using special instruments.

Regardless of the reason you are experiencing itchy ears, it is important to be mindful of any changes in your diet or environment and share that information with your doctor so he or she can prescribe the correct course of treatment. Our Department of Internal Medicine offers allergy and immunology services to help in diagnosing allergies.

To make an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486. We’ll help you to get to the bottom of your problem with itchy ears so that you can feel your best—and hear your best—from one day to the next.

Flushing Hospital Offers Health Facts to Keep You Healthy this Summer

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Michael Hinck

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer for many, and while summer brings with it a greater opportunity to spend more time outdoors, it also provides an increased risk for many health-related conditions.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center wants to provide the community with the facts about some health concerns commonly associated with the warm weather months and offer tips on how to avoid them.

Athlete’s Foot – This fungus results in an itchy, burning rash on the feet. Athlete’s foot is more prevalent during the summer months because it loves to spread in warm, wet surfaces, such as on poolside pavement and public showers. Doctors suggest wearing flip flops when in these environments to avoid becoming infected.

Heat Exhaustion – Temperatures during the summer months are higher than any other time of year. When our bodies are exposed to these hot conditions, we need to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. When we don’t drink enough, we experience heat exhaustion, which is marked by weakness, nausea, vomiting, and fainting.

Food Poisoning – The increased heat and humidity in the summer are ideal breeding grounds for the growth of bacteria in our food. The next time, you are enjoying food at a picnic or outdoor barbeque, make sure that food is not left out in the heat too long. Also follow food temperature guidelines when grilling meat and poultry.

Skin Infections – Our skin is exposed more during the summer. This increases the risk of sustaining a cut that can develop into an infection. The most common place for this to occur is at the beach, when bacteria in the sand or water can enter a cut and lead to a potentially serious infection. If you get cut, be sure to wash it immediately with soap and water and monitor it for early signs of infection.

Ear Infection / Swimmer’s Ear – Naturally, we spend more time swimming in pools or in the ocean during the summer than any other time of year. The additional moisture in the ear from spending time in the water can help facilitate the growth of bacteria, which can lead to an infection. To prevent excess moisture build-up, dry your ears thoroughly after swimming.

Flushing Hospital wants those in our community to enjoy everything that the next few months has to offer. By taking these extra precautions, you can only increase your chances of having a healthy, fun-filled summer.