Earache

DEFINITION

• Pain or discomfort in or around the ear
• Child reports an earache
• Younger child acts like he did with previous ear infection (e.g., crying or fussy)

• Usually due to an ear infection
• Ear infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria.  Usually, your child’s doctor can tell the difference by looking at the eardrum.
• Ear infections peak at age 6 months to 2 years
• The onset of ear infections peaks on day 3 of a cold

• An earache or ear infection is not contagious.  No need to miss any school or child care.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Ear congestion but no pain, see EAR CONGESTION
• Due to airplane or mountain travel, see EAR CONGESTION
• Ear discomfort follows lots of swimming, see EAR SWIMMER'S

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR SUSPECTED EAR INFECTION (until your child can be seen)

1. Reassurance:
   • Your child may have an ear infection. The only way to be sure is to examine the eardrum.
   • Diagnosis and treatment can safely wait until morning if the earache begins after your child's doctor's office is closed.
   • Ear pain can be controlled with pain medicine and eardrops.
2. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief or for fever above 102° F (39° C).
3. 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.)
4. Ear Drainage:
   • 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).
5. Eardrops: 3 drops of olive oil (or prescription eardrops) 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.
6. Contagiousness: Ear infections are not contagious.
7. 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.