Ear pain in children is usually caused by an infection in the middle ear or by the insertion of a foreign object into the ear canal. Because many ear infections are viral and clear up after a few days of home care, many pediatricians wait to schedule an evaluation until at least two days have passed. While waiting for your child to get better or for your pediatrician appointment, you can stop your child's ear pain with simple home remedies.
Step 1
Place a warm, damp washcloth against your child's ear to stop her ear pain. Hold it in place until it cools. Test the temperature of the washcloth against your inner arm before placing it against her ear to prevent burns.
Step 2
Fill an eyedropper with vegetable or olive oil and then hold it in the palm of your hand to warm it to body temperature. Administer a couple of drops of the oil into the affected ear to soothe your child's earache. Do not put oil or anything else into your child's ear if discharge is present.
Step 3
Release pressure in your child's ear associated with fluid accumulation by having him sleep semi-upright in a reclining chair or propped up on extra pillows.
Step 4
Offer your child extra fluids to ensure hydration and limit dairy foods if you believe your child's ear pain is caused by an ear infection. Dairy foods thicken mucus, which makes it harder for infected ears to drain, according to the American Medical College of Homeopathy.
Step 5
Give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to stop her ear pain. Follow the dosing directions on the package. Do not give children aspirin due to the potentially fatal risk of developing Reye's syndrome.
Step 6
Visit your doctor if your child's ear pain persists for more than 36 hours or if he begins running a fever. He may need antibiotics to treat a bacterial ear infection or he may have a small toy or other item lodge in his ear canal. Also, call if his pain worsens, if his hearing is impaired or if you notice a discharge from one or both ears.
Tips and Warnings
- Have your child finish the entire course of antibiotic prescribed by her pediatrician, even if pain and other symptoms improve before the medication is complete.
- Prescription eardrops are available to stop ear pain in children. These drops contain benzocaine, a pain reliever linked to a rare but potentially deadly blood condition in children. Speak with your doctor about the risks of these eardrops before using them on your child, and only use benzocaine drops under the supervision of a medical professional.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Eyedropper
- Vegetable oil
- Over-the-counter pain reliever
