Children’s health care can be tricky since little ones aren’t able to clearly communicate when or why they’re feeling bad. Children under 7 years old are at the most risk for developing ear infections. Earaches are early warning signs of infection and can also be a symptom of other medical issues. Use this brief overview to check your child for symptoms and learn more about this common childhood ailment.

What Causes Earaches?

Infections are the most common reason for earaches. They also develop if a child puts a foreign object into their ear canal.

Parents should also consider whether the child has recently been on a flight or in a noisy environment. Pressure changes, loud noises, or simply pushing a cotton swab too deep can lead to pain or burst eardrums. However, the problem might not be in the ear itself. Sometimes these aches are related to a nose, mouth, or throat issue, including tonsillitis and dental issues.

What Are the Symptoms?

In young children, look for general fussiness and irritability, and watch to see if they are pulling or rubbing at their ears. You may also notice liquid draining out of the ear canal. Record the appearance of any discharges as this can help a children’s health care provider diagnose the issue.

A child with an earache or infection may also have difficulty hearing, develop a fever, or lose their balance more frequently. Ask your little one if they are experiencing pain anywhere else. Sore throats, jaws, or teeth indicate that the main issue might not be ear-related.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Ask your pediatrician to evaluate the symptoms and provide a diagnosis before beginning any treatments. The ache could have various causes, and improper treatment will not improve the situation.

If the issue is a bacterial infection, you can expect a prescription for antibiotics. Antibiotics cannot help with viral infections, but a pain killer, such as infant’s Tylenol® or Advil®, might be prescribed.

If the issue stems from a foreign object, a pediatrician will use specially shaped tools to remove the item without causing further damage. Burst eardrums typically heal on their own but should be monitored to prevent developing infections.

If your child is showing symptoms of earache, reach out to Pediatrics of Dalton. These doctors provide comprehensive children’s health care in a relaxed environment. This dedicated staff serves residents of Dalton, GA, offering diagnostics, prescriptions, and well-child exams. They are focused on giving parents actionable support and information and are equipped to nurture your children throughout all the milestones of their lives. Call (706) 278-5373 now to make an appointment, or learn more about their clinic online.