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  1. UAMS Health
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  3. Can Blowing Smoke into a Child’s Ear Cure an Ear Infection or Is it Dangerous?

Can Blowing Smoke into a Child’s Ear Cure an Ear Infection or Is it Dangerous?

According to the Department of Otolaryngology at UAMS, the normal course of a middle ear infection is for the infection or puss to build up behind the ear drum, causing the ear drum to burst. Then the ear drum will heal. The pressure before the ear drum bursts causes severe discomfort. Antibiotics only decrease the healing time by a small amount.

Blowing smoke into a child’s ear will do nothing to speed the resolution of an ear infection. However, it will not cause harm to the ear either. In real terms, the only thing blowing smoke into a child’s ear will do is increase the physical and emotional bonds between the parent. Unfortunately, smoking will also increase the risk of the parent acquiring lung disease.

To learn more about the personalized care provided by our doctors using state-of-the-art equipment and technology, please visit our medical services section.

Posted by UAMS Health on March 8, 2019

Filed Under: Medical Myths

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