How to Stop a Child's Earache

Earaches can be painful for a child. They may complain of pain on their own, but if they are too young to verbalize an earache, they may give you signs that one exists. Children with ear pain may pull on their ears, become unusually irritable and cry, or have trouble falling asleep. Sometimes, earaches may be accompanied by a fever or fluid draining from a child's ear. If these symptoms exist, you need to know how to stop a child's earache.

Instructions

• 1

  Diagnose the cause of the earache properly before beginning treatment. If a child has ear pain, redness or drainage from the ear, they may have an ear infection. A doctor can properly diagnose an infection, which may require antibiotics. Earaches can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, which will reduce pain and inflammation. Treating the affected ear with a warm compress may also give the child some relief from the pain.

• 2

  Removing earwax blockage may reduce earache pain in children. According to the National Institutes of Health, earwax blockage can cause ear pain. Certain types of oils, such as baby oil or mineral oil, will soften the wax so it can be easily removed. Using a medicine dropper, place two or three drops of warmed oil into the ear. Irrigating the ear by injecting a small stream of water at body temperature may also remove the blockage.

• 3

  Take your child to see the pediatrician if ear pain persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever. Antibiotics may be necessary for children with repeated ear infections, although the Mayo Clinic states that some doctors may try to allow the infection to clear on its own. However, some doctors may recommend antibiotics if the infection does not improve.

• 4

  Persistent infections or infections that hamper a child's hearing may require the insertion of tubes into the ears by a physician. This procedure involves a drainage tube being inserted through a child's eardrum. Tubes help by allowing fluid to drain out of the ear. The fluid may cause an imbalance in the ear which results in pain, repeated infections or problems with hearing.

• 5

  Recurring pain in a child's ear may be the result of swimmer's ear. This common condition may be caused by excessive water in the ear from swimming, an abrasion in the ear or a reaction to a hair product. Use ear drops prescribed by a physician containing steroids, antibiotics or antifungal medications to reduce the symptoms and relieve the ear pain.