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EAR PAIN
TOP FOUR CAUSES
Ear infection click here for more
information on ear infections.
Swimmer's ear click
here for more information on swimmer's ear.
Common cold without ear infection
sometimes a simple cold can cause congestion or pressure inside the ear, which
can be painful.
Referred pain from another source sore throat or tooth pain can be perceived as ear pain.
GETTING THROUGH THE NIGHT
Encourage your child to sleep with the sore ear up.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are effective pain relievers for
ear pain. You can safely use both medications together if one alone is not
enough. Click on each medication for dosage.
Warm compress apply a warm washcloth to the ear.
Warm olive oil, vegetable oil, or garlic oil put several drops of one of
these into the ear. MAKE SURE THE OIL ISN'T TOO HOT.
Anesthetic eardrops if the above remedies aren't enough, these are
available by prescription and can numb the eardrum to minimize the pain for an
hour or two.
WARNING if you see any liquid or pus draining out of the ear, DO
NOT PUT ANY OF THE ABOVE DROPS INTO THE EAR. See below under ear
drainage.
WHEN TO WORRY (AND NOT TO WORRY!)
Although ear pain can be troublesome and cause a difficult, sleepless night
for both parents and child, IT IS RARELY A REASON TO RUSH INTO AN EMERGENCY
ROOM OR CALL YOUR DOCTOR URGENTLY FOR ANTIBIOTICS. Whether the cause is
infection, swimmers ear or pain for another reason, starting antibiotics in the
middle of the night won't help as it usually takes 24 48 hours to start
working.
Try the above remedies to get you child through the night, and then seek
medical attention in the morning.
EAR DRAINAGE if you see any liquid or pus
draining out of the ear, DON'T PANIC! This is probably a ruptured eardrum from
an ear infection (in which case the pain of an ear infection will be relieved)
or swimmer's ear. Try the warm compresses and pain medications above, and seek
medical attention in the morning.
AskDrSears.com is intended to help parents become better informed consumers
of health care. The information presented in this site gives general advice
on parenting and health care. Always consult your doctor for your individual
needs.