Primary Care
Self-Care Tips | Ear-Ache
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An ear-ache is aching or pain in the ear. It is very common in children.
Symptoms of an ear-ache
- Sharp, dull or burning pain in the ear
- Fever
- Fussiness
- Irritability
- Crying
- Pulling the ear
- Drainage coming from the ear
What you can do
- Give over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Never give aspirin to a child.
- Apply a cold pack or cold wet washcloth to the outer ear every 20 minutes.
- Use over-the-counter eardrops.
- Change the position of your child's head to reduce ear pressure.
When to call your child's primary care provider
- If symptoms don't go away after 24 or 48 hours
- A fever over 102°F
- Severe pain
- When new symptoms appear such as a headache, dizziness, or swelling around the ear
- You suspect hearing loss
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