Over age 2 and especially in children who were immunized with the Prevnar and HiB vaccines, ear pain, alone, is not usually a bacterial ear infection. Ear pain is usually due to air or fluid trapped behind the ear drum because of nasal congestion or swelling in the throat. Treating pain and reducing the swelling are the most important things to do when a child complains of ear pain – with or without fever.

How To Help Your Child

Do

  • Children’s ibuprofen (generic Motrin or Advil) – preferred, Children’s acetaminophen (Tylenol)  – These meds can be given at the same time up to every 6 hours. Use this formula or see Over the Counter Pain/Fever Relief chart below. Weight in kg /2 or Weight in lbs/4.4 = mls of med.

  • Help clear their nose with suction or saline flushes (â…ś teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water)

  • Older children may benefit from a single spray of oxymetazoline 12 hour nasal decongestant spray in nostril on the side with the painful ear.

  • Gargle with salt water

  • Vapor rub on the chest at night for nasal congestion.

  • Fill the ear canal with olive oil or mineral oil with the child on their side, and place a warm compress on the ear.

  • Lidocaine pain relieving drops can very quickly numb the ear drum. They are sold as “Ear Care MD.”

  • Expect symptoms to be worse at night.

Don’t

  • Avoid elevation changes. Changes in air pressure can make ear pain worse.t

When to Worry

Contact us by portal, texting or calling 503 400 3852 option 2

  • More than 48 hours of fever (100.5 or above) with ear pain.

  • Ear pain more than 6 weeks – with or without fever

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This advice about symptom relief is intended to equip you to help your child at home. If you have continued concerns please contact our office. If this is a medical emergency, please call 911 and us. We can also help during an emergency.

If you are not a Small Town Pediatrics family, please contact your child’s medical office or click Accepting New Patients to register your child with us.