Earaches commonly occur in children because the Eustachian tubes in their ears are narrower and shorter than the tubes in the ears of adults. Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of your throat. Sometimes bacteria become trapped in this tube and cause an ear infection that triggers an earache. According to FamilyDoctor.org, most kids suffer from at least one earache before they turn three.
Causes
The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that earaches occur when fluid builds up and puts pressure on your child's middle ear. This fluid also creates a warm, wet climate where bacteria can develop and grow. Many earaches in children are caused by middle ear infections, called otitis media, although earaches can also be triggered by upper respiratory tract infections.
Symptoms
Earaches cause a feeling of pressure in the ear along with burning, sharp or dull ear pain. An earache caused by a middle ear infection might be accompanied by a low-grade fever and a drainage of pus-like fluid. Earache pain often becomes worse during the night, according to DrGreen.com, who adds that fevers more commonly occur in toddlers and infants than in older children. If your child's earache is caused by an upper respiratory infection, he might also have a cough, nasal congestion or a runny nose. Older children often complain of earache pain, but younger children might just pull or tug at the affected ear and cry more than usual.
Risk Factors
FamilyDoctor.org reports that children have a greater risk of getting earaches if they've suffered from previous ear infections, catch many common colds or suffer from allergies with nasal congestion. Young children who take bottles to bed, use a pacifier and attend daycare are more likely to develop earaches than children who don't. Boys are more likely to suffer from ear infections and earaches than girls.
Home Treatments
Earaches associated with middle ear infections often go away in two or three days without any medical treatment. FamilyDoctor.org suggests making your sick child more comfortable by placing a warm heating pad on the infected ear; the warmth helps to relieve some of the pain. Give older children chewing gum to help relieve the pressure that causes earache pain. Consult your pediatrician about giving your child an over-the-counter pain reliever that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce fevers and inflammation.
Medical Treatment
Call your pediatrician if your child's earache persists or worsens even after home treatments. Doctors typically prescribe antibiotics for bacteria-related ear infections. Your pediatrician might prescribe medicated ear drops designed to relieve earache pain. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly when giving prescribed medications to your child. Bacteria-related earaches typically get better within ten days.
Considerations
Although earaches themselves aren't contagious, the upper respiratory infections that cause many earaches are very contagious. Teach your child good hygiene practices, particularly hand washing, to reduce the amount of germs she picks up from her environment. DrGreene.com suggests weaning your child off a pacifier, especially if you have her in a daycare setting, to reduce the risk of earaches.
