When should I take my child to the doctor for an ear infection?
First, call the doctor and treat the pain. Usually, your doctor should ask you to wait a few days before bringing your child in. The main sign of an ear infection is pain, especially on the first day. Or, a child may have a fever.
What happens if a child’s ear infection goes untreated?
Ear infections need to be treated. If left untreated, they can lead to unnecessary pain and permanent hearing loss for your child. Ear infections usually go away in a few days. Your doctor will likely treat your child’s pain and fever with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers or eardrops.
Does a child need antibiotics for an ear infection?
Antibiotics work most of the time to treat ear infections caused by bacteria. But they won’t treat ear infections caused by viruses. No matter what causes the infection, most children 6 months and older won’t need antibiotics. Up to 80 out of 100 ear infections get better on their own, while 20 out of 100 don’t.
Why do ear infections hurt more at night?
Pain is worse at night, again because of low cortisol levels. Lying down also backs up drainage into the middle ear, causing pressure on the eardrum and pain.
What are signs that you have an ear infection?
Some of the common signs for an ear infection are pain in the ear, tugging at the ear, difficulty sleeping, headache, poor response to sounds, high fever, fluid draining from the ear, vomiting and diarrhea. The ear is made up of three parts: outer, middle and inner.
How to spot ear infections in your child?
Signs of an ear infection in babies and children Reduced appetite. Ear infections can cause gastrointestinal upset. Yellow or whitish fluid draining from the ear. This doesn’t happen to most babies, but it’s a sure sign of infection. Unpleasant smell. You may smell a foul odor coming from your child’s ear. Difficulty sleeping. Headache. Trouble hearing sounds. Difficulty with balance.
What causes ear infections in kids?
Most common causes of ear infections in children. The most common cause is the entry of fluids in the middle ear from a cold. Since the Eustachian tubes are blocked, the fluids can’t get out.
Should my child have surgery for an ear infection?
If your child has recurring ear infections, he or she may be recommended for ear tube surgery by their pediatrician. Children can experience pain, hearing difficulties and speech delay if recurring ear infections are not treated.