Earache is a common symptom of ear infection. However, not all earaches are caused by an ear infection. If a child has earache but is otherwise well, an ear infection is unlikely. A common cause of mild earache is a build up mucopus in the middle ear after a cold. Sometimes pain that you can feel in the ear is due to ‘referred pain’ from other causes such as teething problems.
Hearing loss may develop for a few days. If acute infection in the middle ear, fever is very common. Children may feel sick or vomit, and can be generally unwell. Young babies cannot point to their pain. One of the causes of a hot, irritable, crying baby is an ear infection.
Sometimes the eardrum perforates .This lets out infected mucopus and the ear becomes wet for a few days. As the pain of earache is due to a tense eardrum, a burst eardrum often relieves the pain. A perforated eardrum usually heals quickly after the infection clears.
What can be done?
Take to the nearest ENT doctor. He will examine the child and give the correct treatment.
Painkillers
If the ear infection is causing pain then give painkillers to children regularly until the pain eases. For example, paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are more likely to be prescribed if the infection is severe. It can be given as oral or by injection. The latter need admission in hospital.
