At what point to see a GP with earache? 10yo

[Crunchymum]

NHS seems to be if its not cleared within 3 days.

Is this the best advice to follow. My usually stoic and uncomplaining 10yo has been up most of the night.

Started on Tuesday. Calpol and Ibuprofen seemed to help. Off school yesterday but had a full day with no pain meds and then in excruciating agony overnight.

No temperature, he feels a bit sick when the pain is at its worse, bit of a cold but not ill per se.

It might all be a moot point as getting a GP appointment is nigh on impossible but we do have plans this weekend and I of course just want him to be pain free.

I'd try to get him seen today OP. If he needs antibiotics better sooner than later. Agree however seeing the actual GP may be theoretical. Spent last night in A&E myself due to similar! Hope he feels better soon

It will be worse when they lie down unfortunately. If he stays off school today and wants to sleep, try and prop him right up.

My daughter gets the odd ear infection and I tend to give it a few days unless she has a temperature or there's gunk coming out of it.

I’d say GP if he’s been in pain all night & pain relief hasn’t helped.
If you can’t get an appointment, some pharmacists can now prescribe antibiotics for ear infections & UTI’s etc so speak to a pharmacist.

If your child is usually stoic and uncomplaining and isn’t now, then that should tell you they’re suffering? I would call the docs and ask for an emergency appointment, or at minimum for the doc to call you.

I would try to get an appointment.

I left my ear problems because I couldn’t get an appointment and ended up with 2 courses of antibiotics and I still can’t hear properly some weeks later.

Poor dc, ear pain is horrific😞

It will be more likely a nurse you'll see, who can then get someone like a Gp to prescribe if needed.

First option would be Earcalm which is available over the counter, it a spray.

Phone the GP that sounds like something that needs an antibiotic, before his ear drum bursts.

Our doctors surgery is fantastic, I know this is a rare one, and see children same day in most cases. If it's an e consult form some of them divert to a child option instantly. If on the phone, say the words "it is for my 10 year old" asap.
One of my DC has suffered with ear infections/ops all his life, so we have form for this.
If it kept him awake last night, go today. Every doctor we have ever seen has reassured us that they would rather see a child and decide it is nothing than leave a child in pain for longer.
Good luck

Yes, GP today I'm afraid. Good luck.

I'll call at 8an and try for an appointment today. As I say it's unlikely we'll get one. I'll nip him over to pharmacist if not.

I read about the new rules about pharmacist being able to dispense AB but wasn't sure if this was active yet.

I suffer from a lot of ear infections, ear calm has saved the day a few times
Pharmacy will have it

When it's that severe I go straight to the doctor. I had a similar ear infection recently. After one sleepless night I booked an emergency appointment (it was a Saturday). The doctor said the infection was severe and I was right to come in. Antibiotic eardrops sorted me out.

Not if there's an infection.

OP ,glad you're getting him seen,earache is awful and shouldn't be left.

All sorted. Not only did we manage to get an appointment, but we were seen a few minutes early. That has never happened before 😆

Most likely just a viral middle ear infection but have been given a prescription for AB (dated Saturday) if there's been no improvement. In the meantime just keep on top of pain medication.

Most positive and efficient GP appointment for a very long time.

Brilliant news @Crunchymum 🙂.

Yes, agree, sometimes surprising! Other times it’s like dragging boulders over a hilltop! Glad your son got seen.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor Earcalm is for infection, otitis externs.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/otitis-externa/prescribing-information/topical-ear-preparations/

And it works very well!

Yes I often feel like I'm getting the start of an outer ear infection and Earcalm is great for nipping it in the bud. Just a note for others prone to this - last night I felt like I was getting an ear infection again but I'd run out of earcalm. I googled and tried a home remedy: extra virgin olive oil very slightly warned and mixed with a couple of drops of tea tree oil. It worked beautifully!