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Treating Ear Infections in Children

by | Jan 24, 2023

Treating ear infections in children is common at urgent care clinics for kids. KidsStreet Urgent Care is here to tell you about ear infection treatment options. 

Home Remedies 

Ear infections in kids are widespread, and many at-home remedies can help alleviate ear infection symptoms. Some of the best at-home remedies include: 

  • Holding a warm rag on the affected ear may relieve pain. 
  • Keep your child’s head elevated to relieve pressure.
  • Taking over-the-counter medications. 

Over-The-Counter Medications

Ear infections in children older than six months can resolve themselves in about a week. If your child is experiencing mild ear pain, you can try giving them an over-the-counter pain medication. Over-the-counter medications for ear infections include: 

  • Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) 
  • Children’s Motrin
  • Children’s Ibuprofen 

If you are giving your child over-the-counter medications, ensure they are the proper age requirement for the medication. Children under the age of six months should only be given acetaminophen. 

Antibiotic Treatment 

For severe ear infections or ear infections that occur in children six months old and younger, your medical provider may prescribe antibiotics. 

The most common antibiotic for treating middle ear infections is amoxicillin, but this may depend on the severity and type of ear infection your child has. It may take twenty-four hours from your child taking their first antibiotic treatment to start feeling the effects. 

You can pair antibiotic treatment with over-the-counter medications, but consult your medical provider first. 

Antibiotics generally last from 7-10 days, and your child must take the entire prescribed amount. 

Treatment For Repeat Ear Infections In Children

Many children between the ages of six months and eight years old suffer from repeat ear infections due to their small eustachian tubes. For long-term relief, you may want to talk to your doctor about ear tubes. During a routine procedure, a surgeon will insert a small tube into the child’s ear, which helps widen the eustachian tube, preventing fluid from backing up into the middle ear.  

If ear infections persist after your child gets an ear tube, their doctor may discuss removing their adenoids. This will prevent further infection. 

Visiting Pediatric Urgent Care vs. ER vs. Pediatrician 

Ear infections are generally not severe and do not require serious medical attention. Pediatric urgent care clinics can diagnose and treat ear infections, saving you a trip to the emergency room. At KidsStreet Urgent Care, treatment for ear infections falls under our children’s urgent care services

You should not visit the emergency room for an ear infection unless there is blood, pus-like fluid draining from your child’s ear. This could mean the infection has progressed and needs intensive treatment. 

If your child suffers from repeat ear infections, you may consider visiting their regular pediatrician to discuss long-term treatment options such as ear tubes. 

Turn To KidsStreet Urgent Care

At KidsStreet Urgent Care, we know ear infections can be painful and inconvenient. We treat ear infections frequently and want to help your children heal and feel better, fast! 

You can register online to join the queue and reduce our in-clinic wait time. We will send you a text when we’re ready for you to check in at the front desk. We always welcome walk-ins, but we highly suggest registering online as it reduces in-clinic wait times. Walk-ins are added to the same queue as those who register online. 

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