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Earache in Children
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Earaches are very common in children between the ages of
6 months and 2 years. They stem from an infection in the ear
called otitis (o-TIE-tis) media (me-DEE-uh). Most children have
at least one ear infection before their eighth
birthday.
Causes
Ear infections often follow a
cold, but cannot be spread from person to person. Some ear
infections are caused by allergies.
Signs/Symptoms
Tugging of the ears and fever are
signs of an ear infection. The child may cry more and seem
fussier than normal. Simply touching the ears may cause
pain. Swallowing, chewing, and nose blowing can increase
ear pain. The pain is caused by pressure changes inside the
ear.
Older children may say their ears feel like they are
under water. They may hear buzzing or ringing. Their speech may
be unclear if they are just beginning to talk, because they
can't hear clearly. Ear infections can cause short-term
hearing loss. The child may not hear far-away noises.
A child's eardrum can break if too much pressure builds
up behind it. Signs of a broken eardrum are blood and pus
draining from the ear. This drainage does not mean that the
infection has gotten worse. The small break will heal on its
own in a few days. However, the child could have a slight
hearing loss until the infection is gone. Hearing
usually returns to normal after treatment. If it does not fully
return, a hearing test may be needed.
If your child has frequent ear infections, your doctor
may suggest putting tubes in the ears. The tubes let liquid
drain from the ears and can help prevent additional
infections.
Care
The doctor will use an otoscope
(OH-toe-skope) to look in the ears for infection. A tympanogram
(tim-PAN-uh-gram) is another test that may be done. It involves
inserting an ear plug to see how the eardrum moves. The
doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Use the entire
prescription, even if the child feels better after the first
few days.
You'll need to bring the child back to the doctor after
finishing the medicine, usually in 2 to 3 weeks. The ears will
be checked to see if the infection is gone. Sometimes more
medicine is needed.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
A heating pad set on low, or a warm water bottle
placed on the ear, may ease the pain. You may also put a
covered ice bag over the ear to relieve
pain.
-
Do not put anything in the child's ear unless
suggested by your doctor.
-
The child can swim if the eardrum is not broken. If
there is no fever, the child can return to
school.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
The child does not feel better in a few
hours.
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The child has a temperature.
-
The child continues to cry, is fussy, and not as
active as usual.
-
The child starts vomiting or has
diarrhea.
-
The child has a skin rash.
-
The child develops new problems that may be due to
the medicine.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
The child has a high
temperature.
-
The child is crying, fussy, and tugging at the ears
after taking the medicine for 48
hours.
-
The child has swelling around the
ear.
-
The child seems to have pain or stiffness when moving
the neck or complains of neck pain.
-
The child is vomiting, less active, and more sleepy
than usual.
-
You feel the child is getting
worse.
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