It could be an ear infection. Ear infections are common in children because they have smaller, more horizontal Eustachian tubes that can make it pretty easy for fluid to build up and cause discomfort (especially if they’re already sick!).
Here’s what you need to know about common ear infections in children and what you can do about them.
Common Signs of Ear Infections in Kids
Ear infection symptoms in children include:
- Ear pain
- Tugging or pulling at the ears
- Fever
- Trouble sleeping
- Fussiness or irritability
- Difficulty hearing
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Decreased appetite
What makes it a bit tough to spot at home is that younger children might have a harder time telling you that their ears hurt. They may just say “My head hurts,” which doesn’t narrow it down.
Tugging or pulling on the ear alone doesn’t confirm an ear infection.
Can a Cold Cause an Ear Infection?
Ears are complicated things that have a lot to do with other systems in our heads. So when you’re dealing with a cold, ears can be affected, too.
The typical culprits are congestion and swelling from a respiratory illness, like a cold or the flu. These can affect the Eustachian tubes and cause child ear pain and discomfort, and sometimes lead to an ear infection.
Do Ear Infections Always Need Antibiotics?
Not all ear infections need antibiotics.
Some infections may get better without antibiotics. This depends on your child’s age, their symptoms, how severe the infection is, and their medical history.
Your medical provider will take all of these factors into consideration before recommending for or against antibiotics.
When to Visit KidsStreet for Ear Pain
Pediatric urgent care may help when a child has:
- Ear pain that is not improving
- Fever with ear pain
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Symptoms that are getting worse
- Trouble hearing
- Difficulty sleeping because of ear discomfort
- Ear pain following a cold or respiratory illness
Note that if you have a baby younger than three months with a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, they need immediate medical evaluation.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Most ear infections aren’t emergencies, but some symptoms shouldn’t wait. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1 if your child has:
- Trouble breathing
- Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
- A seizure
- Signs of a serious infection, such as severe headache with stiff neck
- Loss of consciousness
- Symptoms that feel life-threatening
If you’re ever unsure whether something is an emergency, it’s always okay to choose the emergency room.
What to Expect at KidsStreet
When you come to our clinic, your medical provider will take vitals, note your kiddo’s symptoms, and perform an ear examination using an otoscope.
Then, if they suspect there might be an ear infection (especially if there’s an accompanying illness, like a cold), they may recommend additional testing if needed and provide treatment recommendations when appropriate.
You’ll leave with guidance on what you can do next and the symptoms you can monitor at home.
Visit KidsStreet for Ear Infection Symptoms
Ear pain can feel crummy. A visit to urgent care can help you understand what to do next, with kindness and compassion.
KidsStreet is open late 7 days a week!
Register online to save your spot in line! Online registration is not an appointment, but it can help reduce in-clinic wait times by adding you to the queue before you arrive.