EARACHE

 

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

 

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

  1. Reassurance:  Your child may have an ear infection, but it doesn't sound serious.  Diagnosis and treatment can safely wait until morning if the earache begins after 5 pm.
  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. 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).
  5. Eardrops:  Prescription eardrops or olive oil drops for pain aren't safe if your child has ear tubes or a hole in the eardrum.  Therefore don't use eardrops unless your doctor recommends them.
  6. Contagiousness:  Ear infections are not contagious.
  7. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Your child develops severe pain.
    • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor"  symptoms.

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.

Pediatric SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2003

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