About this topic
The mastoid bone is found behind the ear and at the base of the skull. It is connected to the middle ear. It contains air-filled cells. ‚
Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone. The infection is caused by germs from a recent infection or when the inner ear is inflamed. When this happens, the mastoid cells become inflamed and may fill with fluid. This can cause ear and hearing problems. Children with repeat ear infections are prone to this illness. ‚
Doctors treat this illness with drugs and, sometimes, surgery. If the infection is very bad, doctors may want to remove the whole mastoid bone. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Your doctor will give your child drugs for pain and to fight infection. Make sure to give all the drugs ordered by the doctor.
- If the doctor used a needle to drain the infection, there may still be fluids coming out of the puncture site. Change the bandage when it gets soaked.
- Monitor your childs temperature. Take note of the readings and bring the list to your child's doctor during follow-up.
- The doctor may tell you to use heat to help your child's pain. Put a heating pad on the sore area for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never allow your child to go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
- Let your child sleep on the good ear. Put a pillow at the side of the head. This may help your child remember not to change positions while sleeping.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your childs condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your child's progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send your child to an ear specialist called an otolaryngologist. This doctor may want to check your child's hearing.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Your child may need to rest for a while. Your child should not do physical activity that makes the health problem worse. If your child runs, works out, or plays sports, your child may not be able to do those things until the health problem gets better. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Chewing may be painful as your childs condition heals. Give your child soups or soft foods.
- Give your child 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Damage to the mastoid bone
- Hearing loss
- Facial paralysis
- Pus inside the brain
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Take your child to the doctor if you think your child has an ear infection.
- Tell your child not to put anything inside the ear.
- Avoid cleaning the ears with metal tools.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Numbness of the side of the face with the infection
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- No able to hear as well
- Droopy eyes
- Pain that wont go away even with drugs
- Problems chewing
- Health problem is not better or your child is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my child's pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has numbness on one side of the face, feels dizzy, or has a loss of balance.
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/otitis-media/pages/complications.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚