Earache

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Earache?

Earache can be caused by a lot of things. Let's see what to do about it.
Pharmacist

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Ear pain in children can result from:

  • Middle ear infection
  • External ear infection
  • Ruptured or perforated eardrum
  • Pressure gradient between the middle ear and outside air
  • Irritation of the ear canal from cotton swabs
  • Soap or shampoo staying in the ear
  • Earwax or foreign object

We will first attempt to figure out what may be causing the earache.



Mother with a girl holding her ear

Then determine if your child has to seek urgent care or call the pediatrician for appointment.

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Earache

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Emergency situation?

Did your child experience a severe ear pain followed by drainage of clear fluid?

Or drainage of pus?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Let's rule out a ruptured ear drum.
Pharmacist

Symptoms include:

  • severe ear pain followed by
  • Drainage of clear liquid.
  • Drainage of pus.

 

Was there a severe ear pain followed by hearing loss in that ear?

Or a buzzing sound?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Hope this is not a ruptured ear drum.
Pharmacist

Symptoms include severe ear pain followed by:

  • Drainage of clear liquid
  • Drainage of pus
  • Buzzing sound
  • Hearing loss in that ear

 

Was there a severe pain followed by bleeding from the affected ear?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
May be looking at a ruptured ear drum.
Pharmacist

Symptoms include severe ear pain followed by:

  • Drainage of clear liquid
  • Drainage of pus
  • Buzzing sound
  • Hearing loss in that ear
  • Bleeding from the ear

 

What about a severe pain that suddenly stopped followed by ear noise?

Or a spinning sensation?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This can be a sign of a ruptured ear drum.
Pharmacist

 


Those were some signs of a ruptured ear drum.
Pharmacist

If you suspect this is the case, you should seek emergency care for your child.

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Insertion of objects into the ear canal purposely (eg, cotton swabs) or accidentally is a common cause of ruptured ear drum.

Ear infections may also cause a ruptured eardrum in children.

The infection causes pus or fluid to build up behind the eardrum. As the pressure increases, the eardrum may break open or rupture.

Let's see what else may be causing the earache that will require urgent care. Or do you think you should see the nearest children's urgent care clinic to you from the discussions so far?

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Earache

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What caused it?

Is the child an infant or toddler that is pulling or rubbing the ear?

And also has a fever?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
May be looking at an ear infection going on.
Pharmacist

Take a look at the ear infection discussion.

Ear Infection

 

What about and infant or a toddler that is not wanting to eat?

And cranky?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
May be looking at an ear infection. This is a sign.
Pharmacist

You may want to take a look at the ear infection section.

Ear Infection

 

Is the child an older child that also has fever with fullness in the ear?

May also include diarrhea or vomiting.
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
More than likely looking at an ear infection.
Pharmacist

Would you like to see the entry for ear infection or Continue?

Ear Infection

 

Did the child have a cold and now he or she is complaining of an earache?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
May be looking at a possible ear infection.
Pharmacist

The same virus that cause the cold also can cause an ear infection.

Ear Infection

 

Alright.
Those were some symptoms of an ear infection.
Pharmacist

If these apply to your child, you will have to call the pediatrician.

If not, let's continue and see what else he or she may be looking at.

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Earache

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Is the child experiencing a sensation of fullness in the ear or plugged ear?

But there is no fever or trouble sleeping.
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
May be looking at earwax blockade?
Pharmacist

Symptoms include:

  • Earache
  • Fullness in the ear
  • Sensation that the ear is plugged
  • Partial hearing loss, may get worse
  • Noises in the ear
  • Yellowish or brownish drainage from the ear

There is usually no fever or trouble sleeping.

Would you like to see the entry for earwax or Continue?

Earwax

 

Earache may also be referred from a toothache.
Pharmacist

If you suspect a toothache, seek doctor's office visit or have your child see a dentist.

If your child has been swimming, check out the swimmer's ear section and see if he or she is experiencing a swimmer's ear infection.

If the profile discussed above does not fit into your child's earache, we strongly recommend you call the pediatrician. Do not wait. If it is an ear infection, complications may arise if not taken care of in time.

Let's continue and see what a pharmacist recommend you do for now to help with the earache that is available over-the-counter.

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Earache

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How long?

How many days has the child been complaining of an earache?
Pharmacist


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