People can take various steps to help prevent ear infections from occurring. Washing hands frequently prevents the spread of germs that cause respiratory infections that often lead to ear infections. Avoiding people who are sick with a cold or the flu can also help prevent respiratory infections that can lead to ear infections. Effective treatment of allergies and asthma also can reduce the risk of developing an ear infection. Avoiding exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke may reduce the occurrence of ear infections in young children.

Children are most at risk for developing middle ear infections. Innoculating children with pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent infections from the organism most often associated with middle ear infections. Children with a history of recurrent ear infections sometimes are given low doses of antibiotics for a few weeks as a preventative measure.

Other steps that can be taken to help prevent ear infections include:

• Do not insert anything into the ear canal. Anything, including fingers and cotton swabs inserted into the ear may injure the tissue lining the canal and cause an ear infection.
  
  
• Take proper precautions before and after swimming. Some people may be urged to use earplugs when swimming or bathing to keep the ear canal dry. Drying the ears with a towel or hair dryer (on low setting) after swimming also can lower the risk of ear infections. Physicians sometimes recommend the use of special ear drops following swimming.
  
  
• Breastfeed babies. Breastmilk provides antibodies that help make children less prone to infections, including ear infections.
  
  
• Monitor pacifier use in infants. Infants (especially those between the ages of 6 and 12 months) who use pacifiers have a higher risk of developing ear infections. However, in younger infants, pacifier use may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Thumb sucking does not appear to increase the risk of ear infection.
  
  
• During bottlefeeding, hold children in an upright, seated position. Lying down while drinking promotes infection because liquid may travel up the eustachian tubes, increasing the risk of infection.