DD has ear infection, do I need to take her to the doctor today?

[onlysomany]

DD has a painful ear. She's not in agony, but she says it hurts. It started yesterday and is worse this morning. She's had a cold for about a week, (not too bad, lots of sniffles) it seemed to be getting better.

Can this wait till our doctor is open tomorrow?

I'm assuming it can but neither of my DC have had ear infections before, I'm suddenly feeling very unsure of myself!

I assume it's an ear infection?

Call your GP or 111 and see if you can get an appt todya
Ears can be really painful

If she’s not in agony get her in to see the GP tomorrow, you could get some ear drops over the counter from a chemist today that might help.

How old is she?

Generally ear infections will clear up with no need for antibiotics so probably doesn’t need to see anyone today unless it is really bad. Can you go to a pharmacy for advice?

Ear infections need to be treated ASAP. If you can’t get an appt with your GP call 111.

My DD gets sore ears with a cold. Ibuprofen is really good for the pain.

She's 8.

She says it really hurts and wants to go to the doctor when I asked. But she was just playing the piano and doesn't actually look like she's in that much pain to me.

She has had glue ear in the past, maybe the cold is affecting that?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/

Heat helps, if you can get a hot water bottle on it.

Our gp’s approach is that they usually clear up on their own in three days. It’s been the case here and I don’t make an appointment straight away any more.

In your position I’d probably see how it is tomorrow.

Most ear infections will self rectify in around 5-10 days. I would visit a pharmacist in the first instance. However If there is any liquid present or it's weeping/discharge then you would be best to contact 111 today or a GP tomorrow.

Most post cold ear pain is pain from the ear canal being blocked putting pressure on the ear. It's the eustacian tube.

What can help is laying down with the hood ear downwards to help the build up if fluid drain. Putting a warm flannel on the painful ear.

Taking ibuprofen and also using a saline nasal spray to help unblock the tubes.

You can also go to the pharmacist who can advise on ear drops, saline spray etc.

If this doesn't help then I'd call gp tomorrow.

However - if the pain gets worse, redness appears around the ear or it starts draining gunk you need to call 111 immediately.

There's no gunk. The pain seems to be getting worse. Have applied warm flannel and pain killers. Thanks everyone xx

Our GP will only give antibiotics if it’s ear pain and fever. Otherwise it’s leave it a few days, and it should clear up. If she has a cold, it can be a blocked Eustachian tube. On a Sunday, asking a pharmacist would probably be the best idea.

@Sirzy

How old is she?

Generally ear infections will clear up with no need for antibiotics so probably doesn’t need to see anyone today unless it is really bad. Can you go to a pharmacy for advice?

This. There's a really helpful leaflet somewhere online about childhood illnesses and when to worry, which ones can be treated at home etc. Often these things are viral and self limiting. Unless the child has a high fever or is crying in pain and not relieved by calpol, then generally they get better in a few days.

Link to booklet here
www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/campaigns/when-should-i-worry/

Do you have a walk in minor injuries by you? That's what we can do. Although last time I just called 111 and they sent a prescription for antibiotics to a local chemist.

He had a lot of pain, high fever and a lot of discharge running down his face, for context. I wasn't happy waiting until the Monday (Saturday).

Try a pharmacist. They can either treat or refer you on.

A very bad infection would probably be oozing pus (this happened to my son a few times when he developed ear infections- he also had glue ear). His affected ear would also be hot and red and tender to the touch.

From what you've described I'd give Ibuprofen for the pain and book an appointment tomorrow.

I would give her simple pain relief today and if she develops fever, ear discharge or increasing pain then contact your GP surgery tomorrow. Most ear infections will clear on their own.

@Pyewackect

Ear infections need to be treated ASAP. If you can’t get an appt with your GP call 111.

She’s said her dd isn’t in agony, there’s seriously no need to call 111 for a slight ear pain.

Pain killers, some ear drops from a chemist and call your GP tomorrow.

It depends on the pain. Ds has had some where he is on max pain relief and still very distressed and in those cases we class it as urgent and would 111 at weekends. At other times there appears to be something going on but pain relief seems to be managing the pain so we leave it till the next day as 111 is always hard work/ try to prescribe the non usual antibiotic.

My youngest kept getting sore ears so took her to gp but they said was just because she was getting colds and there wasn’t much they could do . Is horrible when they are in agony with it .

Cery useful RagzReturnsRebooted thanks !

Good news, DD's ear is better!

She's been on the sofa under a duvet all morning, grumbling about the pain and playing with my phone. Then, she said she heard a high pitched noise and all of a sudden the pain went. And she can now hear everything much louder than normal.

I'm daring to hope that the underlying glue ear has been fixed, just like that!