How to Treat an Ear Infection in Infants

Ear infections are rather common in infancy. Symptoms of an ear infection may include fussiness, fever, pulling on the ear, poor appetite, diarrhea and clear or yellow drainage from the ear. Ear infections often follow a sinus infection or a cold.

Things You'll Need

• Prescriptions medications
• Tylenol or Motrin

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Instructions

• 1

  Consult a physician if your infant is showing any signs of ear infection. Most likely, the physician will have you bring the infant in for an office visit to exam his ears.

• 2

  Follow the doctor's directions regarding medicine use. Typically, an antibiotic will be prescribed to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Also, the physician will probably recommend using Tylenol or Motrin to reduce fever and pain associated with the ear infection. If ear pain appears to be severe, the doctor may also prescribe antiseptic ear drops to numb the eardrum.

• 3

  Make sure to finish the entire course of prescription antibiotic, even if the infant seems to be better. Ear infections can reoccur if they are totally eradicated.

• 4

  Help ease discomfort by holding a warm washcloth against the infant's ear.

• 5

  Schedule a follow-up exam to make sure that the infant's ears are completely well after completing the course of antibiotics.

• 6

  If ear infections reoccur often, ask your child's pediatrician for a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist who can determine if the child is a candidate for ear tubes.