Recognizing Mastoiditis

While medicine and medical treatment have come a long way in the past century, there are still ear, nose, and throat conditions that continue to persist. One of these conditions is mastoiditis, which while rare, can still pop up occasionally. It is usually found in children with ear infections that have been left untreated. The condition is known as mastoiditis due to the mastoid bone – the prominent bone behind the ear – developing an infection from untreated ear conditions. The doctors at our Downtown Houston ENT clinic can diagnose your child's condition and provide the necessary treatment to cure it.

The most common cause of mastoiditis is otitis media, or a middle ear infection. The infection can spread from the ear to the mastoid bone, and the resulting infection can be very serious, although not as dangerous as it was 100 years ago. As a parent, there are symptoms you should watch for, should your child complain of pain or discomfort in or around their ears.

Symptoms of mastoiditis include:

• Swollen or tender skin behind the ear
• Pus discharge or drainage from the ear
• High fever
• Hearing loss
• And others

Mastoiditis can be avoided simply by having any middle ear infection treated in a timely manner, but that doesn't mean cases won't happen. Our doctors and staff will do whatever they can to treat your or your child's ENT condition, and help relieve any pain and swelling. Treatment can be lengthy, but we'll devise the best plan to remedy the issue. Contact us today to learn more.