Page 142 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

140 COMMON CONDITIONS: CHILDREN’S PROBLEMS

Earache (children)

Earache is a common childhood complaint often caused by an infection in the middle ear or the outer ear
(swimmer’s ear). A buildup of fluid behind the eardrum after a cold or a foreign object pushed into the ear
can also cause earache. Sometimes the pain is referred from a sore throat or tooth problem. A young child
may not be able to say what is wrong but may pull at one ear; have reduced hearing; be distressed; and
be feverish if there is an infection. A discharge from the ear may indicate that the eardrum has burst.

See also Swimmer’s ear, p.65; Popping ears, p.66; Foreign object in the ear, p.68.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TIP
Make an appointment to see your doctor
if your child has earache to confirm the Applying warmth Gentle heat can help
diagnosis and be advised on treatment. to relieve an earache. Use a well-wrapped hot-water
bottle or heat a towel on a radiator or iron it. Check
that it is not too hot, then hold it against the affected
ear. For a baby, hold a warm, soft cloth over the ear.
What you can do yourself
Heat treatment
While following your doctor’s advice, there are Resting the painful ear on
several measures that you can take to relieve your a covered hot-water bottle
child’s earache. The problem can be very upsetting, for about 20 minutes can
especially for young children, so you need to calm soothe earache.
your child and distract him or her from the pain.
● Sit your child upright, resting on pillows, as this
position may help reduce pressure in the middle
ear. Your child will probably sleep better propped
up on pillows in bed.
● Holding a warm towel or well-covered hot-water
DRUG REMEDIES
bottle against the affected ear can help to soothe
the pain (see PRACTICAL TIP, right).
Analgesics will help to bring down a fever and
● Give your child an analgesic if the earache is reduce the pain of earache. Acetaminophen (see
causing distress (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). p.177) is available as liquid medicine or chewable
pills, and ibuprofen (see p.185) is available as liquid
● If your child’s eardrum bursts, gently wipe away
medicine. Make sure you ask your pharmacist to
the discharge, keep the ear dry, and have it recommend an appropriate product for your child.
checked by the doctor.
● Don’t poke cotton swabs into your child’s ear to
try to clean it, or insert eardrops or oil unless
advised to do so by your doctor. Seek further medical advice
● Distract your child by reading stories or by Arrange for your child to see your doctor if:
playing favorite games.
● The earache becomes more severe, or your
● Keep your child away from tobacco smoke. child is not beginning to feel better after 1–2
days of using treatment from your doctor
● You are concerned that your child’s hearing
has not returned to normal following treatment