1. < Infectious Diseases

Can blowing the nose during a cold cause ear infections (AOM) in child

Posted by mraf9973 @mraf9973, Oct 20 5:00pm

I’ve heard that blowing the nose too hard during a cold can increase the risk of acute otitis media (AOM) in children by pushing mucus into the Eustachian tubes. Is this true? What are the recommendations for preventing ear infections in children with colds?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Infectious Diseases Support Group.

Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 20 11:37pm

@mraf9973 Welcome to Mayo Connect. That I a great question. As the parent of 2 (now adult) children with chronic otitis media, and a person who has probablynhadmitm100 times myself, I will relate mm our experiences. Our family ENT, who treated 3 generations of us, recommended only wiping the nose of kids under age 5. He also said all noses should be blown gently, without closing off one side at a time, to remove only loose mucus. Thick mucus was to be removed,only by using a bulb syringe (infants and toddlers) or with a saline irrigation to cause it to flow out.
He taught me that trying to force thick mucus out could cause ear or sinus infections.

REPLY
1 reply
mraf9973 | @mraf9973 | Oct 21 3:13am
In reply to @sueinmn "@mraf9973 Welcome to Mayo Connect. That I a great question. As the parent of 2 (now..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@mraf9973 Welcome to Mayo Connect. That I a great question. As the parent of 2 (now adult) children with chronic otitis media, and a person who has probablynhadmitm100 times myself, I will relate mm our experiences. Our family ENT, who treated 3 generations of us, recommended only wiping the nose of kids under age 5. He also said all noses should be blown gently, without closing off one side at a time, to remove only loose mucus. Thick mucus was to be removed,only by using a bulb syringe (infants and toddlers) or with a saline irrigation to cause it to flow out.
He taught me that trying to force thick mucus out could cause ear or sinus infections.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your helpful response! I really appreciate it.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.