Earache in Children

Earache in Children

An earache, or ear pain, can be caused by many things, including:

  • An infection.
  • Ear wax buildup.
  • Ear pressure.
  • Something in the ear that should not be there (foreign body).
  • A sore throat.
  • Tooth problems.
  • Jaw problems.

Treatment of the earache will depend on the cause. If the cause is not clear or cannot be determined, you may need to watch your child’s symptoms until the earache goes away or until a cause is found.

Follow these instructions at home:

Pay attention to any changes in your child’s symptoms. Take these actions to help with your child’s pain:

  • Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
  • If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your child’s health care provider. Do notstop using the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.
  • Have your child drink enough fluid to keep urine clear or pale yellow.
  • If directed, apply heat to the affected area as often as told by your child’s health care provider. Use the heat source that the health care provider recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
    • Place a towel between your child’s skin and the heat source.
    • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
    • Remove the heat if your child’s skin turns bright red. This is especially important if your child is unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. She or he may have a greater risk of getting burned.
  • If directed, put ice on the ear:
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your child’s skin and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
  • Treat any allergies as told by your child’s health care provider.
  • Discourage your child from touching or putting fingers into his or her ear.
  • If your child has more ear pain while sleeping, try raising (elevating) your child’s head on a pillow.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your child’s pain does not improve within 2 days.
  • Your child’s earache gets worse.
  • Your child has new symptoms.

Get help right away if:

  • Your child has a fever.
  • Your child has blood or green or yellow fluid coming from the ear.
  • Your child has hearing loss.
  • Your child has trouble swallowing or eating.
  • Your child’s ear or neck becomes red or swollen.
  • Your child’s neck becomes stiff.
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