Symptom 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).

See More Appropriate Topic

• If ear congestion but no pain, see EAR CONGESTION.
• If ear discomfort follows lots of swimming, see EAR, SWIMMER'S.

(To go directly to these topics, click on the links following this document.)  

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If:

• Your child looks or acts very sick.
• Earache is severe.
• Pink or red swelling behind the ear.
• Stiff neck (unable to touch chin to chest).
• Fever above 104°F (40°C).  
• Pointed object was inserted into the ear canal (e.g., a pencil, stick or wire).

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If:

• Earache, but none of the symptoms described above (probably ear infection).

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 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 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 becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor If" symptoms.

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000. Barton D. Schmitt, MD, FAAP

See related topics:

• Ear Congestion
• Ear, Swimmer's