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| Earache | |
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| Does this describe your child's symptoms? |
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Definition
Cause
Return to School
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| When to Call Your Doctor |
| Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If | |
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| Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If | |
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| Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If | |
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| HOME CARE ADVICE FOR SUSPECTED EAR INFECTION (until your child can be seen) |
- Reassurance:
- Your child may have an ear infection, but it doesn't sound serious. The only way to be sure is to examine the eardrum.
- Diagnosis and treatment can safely wait until morning if the earache begins after 5 pm.
- Ear pain can be controlled with pain medicine and eardrops.
- Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief or for fever above 102° F (39° C).
- Local Cold: Apply a cold pack or a cold wet wash cloth to the outer ear for 20 minutes to reduce pain while the pain medicine takes effect. (Note: Some children prefer local heat for 20 minutes.)
- Avoid Earplugs: If pus or cloudy fluid is draining from the ear canal, the eardrum has ruptured from an ear infection. Wipe the pus away as it appears. Avoid plugging with cotton (Reason: Retained pus causes irritation or infection of the ear canal).
- Eardrops: 3 drops of prescription eardrops or olive oil drops will usually relieve pain not helped by pain medicine. If your child has ear tubes or a hole in the eardrum, don't use them.
- Contagiousness: Ear infections are not contagious.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Your child develops severe pain
- Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
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Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 1/19/2009
Last Revised: 12/19/2008
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online
Copyright 1994-2009 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.