Relieving your child's earache
Earache in babies, toddlers and children is not pleasant for either child or parent. It can be quite painful your little one and worrying for you. Childhood earache is usually caused by an infection of the middle ear (otitis media). This is often because the tube that connects the ear to the throat is shorter in children, which makes them more susceptible to infection. As a result, earache is a common affliction during early childhood.
Recognising the signs
More than three quarters of children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday*. The symptoms to look out for include:
- Pain and fever
- Irritability
- Pointing or pulling at the ear
- A general feeling of warmth or redness around the ear
- Discharge from the ear
Taking away the pain of earache
Thankfully, childhood earache can be treated relatively easily. The pain can be relieved with an ibuprofen suspension such as Nurofen for Children**. It can also help bring down a fever if your baby has a high temperature – it starts to work in just 15 minutes to relieve your baby’s fever and lasts for up to eight hours.
If the problem persists, contact your doctor. They may prescribe antibiotics if the cause is thought to be bacterial, especially with discharge, or refer you to hospital if your child has fluid in the ear that needs to be drained away.
Making your child comfortable
Besides treating earache with medication, there are other, home-grown methods you can use to relieve the pain of your baby or child’s ear infection. Heat is one tried-and-tested way to soothe children’s earache. Gently pressing a heated gel pad wrapped in a soft cloth against your child’s ear is sure to feel good. For trips to the GP / paediatrician, be sure to keep ears snugly wrapped up against the cold.
Nagging pain from an ear infection can drown out all other things. That’s why distraction is another good method to help your child take the focus off the earache. Reading a favourite story, singing a song, listening to soothing music or watching a favourite film / TV programme are not exactly treatments for children’s earache, but it all goes a long way bring some comfort.
* Source: http://www.nurofenforchildren.co.uk
** Nurofen for Children for 3 months to 9 year old infants. Strawberry flavour. Contains ibuprofen. Always read the label.
Tips to comfort your child
- Distract your child with gentle music, singing, books, TV
- Soothe your child with hugs and cuddles
- Relieve the pain with an age-appropriate analgesic
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