When a child is complaining of ear pain, it’s hard to know when the situation becomes an emergency. Earaches can be very painful for children, and they’re very common. An earache can signify an ear infection, which means that there is inflammation of the ear that is either viral, bacterial, or fungal. Around 80% to 90% of children will experience an ear infection before the age of 3. Anyone who has ever had a child with an earache knows that it can feel extremely urgent to treat the child. Unlike some other illnesses, which can be hard to spot, ear infections are very painful for children. Because they involve fluid in the ear, they can be even more painful when the child is in a reclining position, resulting in a lack of sleep.
So, when is it time to take your child to the ER for ear pain? Village Emergency Center is here to help.
Symptoms of Earaches
Children can’t always communicate their pain level succinctly, and sometimes, they can’t even communicate that they’re in pain at all. They may be too young to understand what they’re experiencing. After all, half of all ear infections occur in patients between 6 months and 18 months old. As a parent or guardian, it’s important to recognize the signs of pain in your child. Here are some symptoms of earaches in children.
- Fussiness and Irritability
Children may not express that their ears hurt, but they may simply be crying, fussy, and irritable. - Pulling or Tugging at Ear
Touching the ear, pulling at the ear, or any other gesture that is focused on the ear area may signify an earache in children. - Trouble Sleeping
Because the fluid in the ear changes when a person is horizontal, a child may feel ok until they lie down, but when the fluid shifts, their ears may begin to feel painful at bedtime. - High Fever
Fever is always an alarm. It can highlight the difference between an uninfected ear and an infected ear. When there is a high fever, this can be a reason to begin to prepare for a trip to the doctor, or perhaps the emergency room. - Loss of Appetite
A lack of appetite in a child can be an indicator of many issues. One of these issues may include an earache or an ear infection. - Hearing Loss
The fluid issues and inflammation in the ear can cause hearing loss in children. This type of hearing loss is usually temporary. - Runny Nose
Children frequently have drainage from the nose when they are suffering from earaches. The ear, nose, and throat are all so closely related, this drainage can be a sign. - Fluid Draining from Ear
If there is fluid draining from your child’s ear, your child is likely suffering from some degree of earache.
Causes of Earaches
A child with an earache isn’t necessarily a child with an ear infection. There are several reasons your child’s ears may be in pain.
- Ear Infection
Ear infections are the most common cause of ear pain in children. If your child is experiencing multiple symptoms, such as ear pain, fever, sinus drainage, and more, they are likely suffering from an ear infection. - Ear Wax Buildup
Ear wax buildup can be a less common source of ear pain for children. It is unlikely that a young child would have much ear wax, but it is possible. Ear wax is a substance that protects the ear from dirt and debris and lubricates it. However, there are instances when there is too much ear wax. It is possible that ear wax could hurt the ear if a cotton swab has been used. - Airplane Ear
When the ear is under pressure, such as the pressure from altitude, as is felt in an airplane or mountain climbing, the eardrum will stretch. This can cause ear pain. - Swimmer’s Ear
Affecting the outer ear into the eardrum, a swimmer’s ear is an infection caused by water that remains in the ear after swimming or after a bath. - Injury
The ear can be injured through cleaning with a cotton swab or some other item that is inserted into the ear. - Obstruction
It is pretty common for children to put objects in their ears, noses, and mouths. Sometimes ear pain can be the result of a foreign body inside the ear. - Abscess
An infected hair follicle can quickly become an abscess and can be a source of real pain for a child.
Treating an Earache at Home
An earache can be treated at home, but it is usually a good idea to schedule with a physician to make sure your child’s earache isn’t a sign of infection. While waiting for the child to be seen, there are several ways to treat an earache at home. Some of those ways include:
- Over the Counter Pain Medications
Acetaminophen are ibuprofen are pain relievers that can be effective in relieving the pain of an ear infection. - Warm Compress
A warm washcloth on the ear can help relieve pressure and fluid buildup in the ear. - Resting Without Reclining
When a child can rest sitting up, the fluid in the ear won’t shift and it is possible that the ear will not bother them, and they will then be able to rest comfortably. - Chewing Gum
This can be an effective method of relieving pressure in the ear. Ear pain due to altitude and airplane ear can be quickly alleviated through chewing gum.
When Is It Time to Head to the Emergency Room?
Though ear infections can be quite painful for your child, they don’t typically require urgent medical attention. However, some warning signs will show you it’s time to head to the emergency room. These include, but are not limited to:
- Lethargy
If a child is extremely lethargic, this is a warning sign that something is seriously wrong. It is time to seek emergency assistance. - High Fever
A high fever in a child is generally a reason to seek emergency help. If a fever is over 100.7°F or if a fever is not responsive to over-the-counter medication, it is time to head to the ER. - Loss of Appetite
The loss of appetite in a child is an indicator that they don’t feel well. If this symptom is persistent, it may be appropriate to take the child to the ER. - Signs of Severe Pain
Anytime a child exhibits symptoms of severe pain, it is likely time to take them to the ER. - Discoloration of the Skin
If a child has the appearance of blue or yellow skin, get to the ER right away.
Conclusion
Although earaches are very common in young children and can be treated at home, there are times when the situation escalates and becomes an emergency. If you are wondering when to take a child to the ER for ear pain, the symptoms are high fever, lethargy, severe pain, inappetence, and discoloration of the skin.
Village Emergency Centers
If your child is suffering from these symptoms, we are here to help. Stop by our facility at Village Emergency Centers. We offer the most comprehensive care at one of Texas’s most prestigious medical centers. We offer the highest quality medical care in a comfortable, well-organized setting. Whatever the need, no matter the hour, we will be there to provide medical services and help you with no wait times, friendly staff, and a very experienced medical team. We are open 24 hours a day and ready to assist you with your emergency needs.