does ear ache always = GP visit

[lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs]

DD1 has ear ache and a cold. Its terrible snow here and she seems ok apart from pain. I dont want to drag her out in the cold and risk crashing my car or getting stuck.

[duckyfuzz]

DT2 had dreadful earache last christmas, we were away at my parents, weather was bad and it was a long bank holiday weekend so we waited, treated with calpol, it started to weep, which concerned us, but cleared up by the time GPs were open again, so IME no it doesn't, but I may be in a minority!

[Earlybird]

IME, GP won't do anything unless it is so serious that draining is called for. Don't think they give antibiotics for earache anymore.

[seeker]

No. Treat symptoms. Research has shown that antibiotics only shorten the course of an ear infection by about 12 hours.

Calpol, warmth, fluids and lots of cuddles and telly.

[sleepingsowell]

DS has had earache on and off for a couple of days, also because of a cold; he's very snotty and clearly there's lots of gunk in his ears too. He's NEVER been a child prone to earache so I was horrified when he said he had it yesterday, but it responded to kids nurofen within 20 mins and has done again this morning.
So I'm monitoring and happy to carry on that way - clearly I'm no expert, but I don't think it would always indicate a GP visit as I haven't, yet, gone with DS!
I would/will if it continues more than another day or two or if it doesn't respond to normal painkiller.

[sleepingsowell]

I am sure they give antibiotics for severe ear infection - not just for slight ache - I had a terrible ear infection 3 years ago and had to have 2 courses of antibots, still shudder to think of that pain, omg! Having had that, compared to a good few earaches as a child I do feel there's a big difference and it must be completely obvious - I was in such agony that I couldn't speak to the emergency dr for the sobs of pain!

[Sirzy]

I have a lot of ear ache and infections and only go to the gp when it is really bad. Last time was when I had a burst ear drum.

Brufen is good as it helps with any swelling in the ear

[lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs]

thanks for that, I hate going to GP unless I need to. Kids have never had ear ache really and only normally gets found out when I take them for other syptoms.

[dikkertjedap]

Depending on his age you may want to give calprofen as calpol does not work so well with earache. Also, the key is clearing the nose as soon as possible so the ear can start draining and he doesn't get a secondary infection (which is likely to need anti biotics and can be dangerous left untreated). You can use saline drops, sterimar and on top of that an oral anti-histamine such as piriton. This helps reducing the swelling which helps to improve draining. If he starts having high fever and/or earache does not improve in 2-3 days I would take him to GP just in case. Untreated earaches can result in loss of hearing and in rare cases in mastoiditis which is very serious.