Earaches are common in children and may or may not be associated with an infection of the middle ear called otitis media. Ear infections are not considered emergencies, and it can take up to three days for the discomfort of an ear infection to resolve once antibiotics are started. There are several things you can do if your child wakes up with an earache:
- Give an appropriate dose of a pain reliever such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or if child is 6 months or older may give Ibuprofen (Motrin).
- Have the child sit upright for about 30 minutes.
- Have the child take a drink, which may equalize pressure on both sides of the eardrum.
- May apply a warm moist pack or compress to the affected ear 20 minutes every 2 hours or as needed.
Call office for appointment if:
- Severe ear pain lasting 2 hours or longer after administering pain medication.
- If ear drainage bloody or clear occurs.
- If temperature is 101° or greater.