Earache(Middle Ear Infection)- Home Suggestions

If your child has a fever, please see the fever tool.

1. Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others) for pain. Do not use ASA (Aspirin and others) in anyone under 20 years of age.

2. Your child can be made more comfortable by putting a warm cloth on the ear for 20 minutes several times daily.

3 Sometimes putting warm drops of mineral oil, cooking oil or olive oil in the ear canal may give some relief. You can buy Auralgan drops or simply use mineral oil, cooking oil or olive oil. Heat the oil in warm water. Do not boil the water. Make sure you test the temperature of the oil drops on your skin before placing it in your childs ear.

4. If you are breast feeding, do not stop, but try to nurse so the child is in an upright position. If necessary, feed smaller amounts more often.

5. Do not expose your child to cigarette smoke.

6. Read about Fever, Cough and Colds, and Sore Throat if necessary.

7. Encourage your child to pop his/her ears by blowing against a pinched nose. Get him/her to do this several times daily.

8. Doctors now know that most middle ear infections do not need to be treated with antibiotics. Use pain medication early. Night time visits to the emergency department are usually unnecessary.

9. Repeated ear infections may be prevented. Ask your nurse/doctor.

Questions

Is there still pain or fever after 12 to 24 hours of therapy?