Earache

When To Call

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If

• Not moving or very weak

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Earache is severe and not improved 2 hours after taking ibuprofen
• Pink or red swelling behind the ear
• Stiff neck (can't touch chin to chest)
• Pointed object was inserted into the ear canal (e.g., a pencil, stick or wire)
• Weak immune system (sickle cell disease, HIV, chemotherapy, organ transplant, chronic steroids, etc)
• Fever over 104° F (40° C) and not improved 2 hours after fever medicine
• You think your child needs to be seen urgently

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

• Earache, but none of the symptoms described above (Reason: possible ear infection)
• Pus or cloudy discharge from ear canal

Care Advice

Home Care Advice for Suspected Ear Infection (until you talk with your doctor)

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 plain 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. 

To find a pediatrician, click here.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to 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. For more information, click here.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer and Healthpoint Medical Network.
Last Review Date: 6/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011 2:56:35 PM
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Version Year: 2012
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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