Absolute bloody disaster!! We're supposed to go to Disneyland in a few hours

[Sneakysloth]

We have to leave at 9am to drive to the eurotunnel and go to Disneyland and I've been awake since 2am with a sobbing 4 year old really distressed that his ear hurts. We've all had horrible coughs/colds this last week and I think his has developed into an ear infection. He keeps asking if we can still go and I'm telling him not to worry and just to rest but then he gets distressed that he doesn't want to not go. I phoned 111 at 3am but not heard back yet (I know that might sound dramatic, but it is the weekend and it seemed better than A&E?)

He's had calpol when he first woke, ibuprofen not long ago, got a warm flannel on his ear. I'm sat up so he can rest on me and be a bit more upright to try ease pain. We wait for the doctor to call. But in the mean time.. gonna have to shatter all my kids excitement about Disneyland aren't I?

@Berlioz23 Yes I am aware of that I was replying to @cerisepanther73 who had said you could buy it in supermarket pharmacy. It's prescription only. It's also not suitable in this case but she did say for outer ear infection. Highlights the importance of speaking to pharmacist/ GP for correct treatment.

@Trulyme I’m really heartened to hear that GPs are saying no to ABs now - they used to be handed out like smarties and reading this thread it’s easy to see why 😬

@Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic a child not being able to sleep because they’re feeling poorly doesn’t justify an A&E visit. JFC the world has gone mad 🙄.

Couldn't agree more, there is a pharmacy on every street corner there for a reason. They will sort you out (with google translate if necessary). They'd nearly operate on you if they had a theatre!

Healthcare in France is taken seriously and people go to pharmacies ALL the time for advice and care. Hence their presence all over the place. They will direct you elsewhere if necessary.

Have you got the GHIC card?

The Dr doesn't see anyone with ear infections anymore according to my pharmacist. They don't provide antibiotics even for infections unless it's been ongoing for over a week. She advised me to give paracetamol and ibuprofen as well alternating between a warm and cold compress.

I'd exercise travel insurance and re-book the trip.

Not sure if you've travelled yet OP, but if you need a pharmacy on the way there, there is a big Tesco very close to the Eurotunnel in Folkestone, and the pharmacists there are excellent.
There's also a McDonalds in the Tesco carpark, if that might help take someone's mind off their bad ear!

Antibiotics. Shouldn't be too hard to get. I got some from a late night pharmacy once after going to a walk in.

From nhs website
'Antibootics are not usually offered because infections inside the ear often clear up on their own and antibiotics make little difference to symptoms, including pain.
Antibiotics might be prescribed if:

• an ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days
• you or your child has any fluid coming out of the ear
• there are other factors that increase your or your child’s risk of complications, such as having a weakened immune system

They may also be prescribed if your child is less than 2 years old and has an infection in both ears.'

If it's likely you can get antibiotics in France then I'd go and speak to someone once at Disney.

There is a doctors actually inside the park itself - I discovered this after falling there and hurting my wrist and ankle. They rubbed some cream on and bandaged me up. Whatever the cream was it was amazing. Took the pain away really well. Still dub it magic cream as have no idea to this day what they used.

Voltaren maybe?

There's almost always one hysterical twat on every thread these days. Calm down misandrist!

if not yet sorted pharmacists in France can def prescribe a much wider range of things than they are allowed to in the UK.

Could your husband go with other kids and you join tomorrow once little one is sorted?

👏👏👏👏

My son suffered a lot with ear infections and night time was always the worst for him.If he's medicated you'll see an improvement when he's up and about.
Best of luck.

The posters on here telling OP to go to A&E need to wake the fuck up. People in this country are dying because hospitals are drowning under the demand of idiots like you turning up to A&E because you think that's the right thing to do if a holiday is at stake. Please educated yourselves.

Please don’t be stupid enough to put people off seeking medical care - what ever form that takes.

DD has a doctors appointment on the 20th March - nothing sooner -

OOH doctors appointments are like hens teeth and they suggest you go to A&E - DD is under a consultant and she’s been sent to A&E recently as well as doctors don’t want to know.

There are people who still don’t use pharmacies services, there are still those who pop to the doctors like a social meeting, who take up much needed appointments.

Why not aim your vitro at them?

Please don't go to A&E or put olive oil in his ear. He probably doesn't need antibiotics either but rather regular pain relief. So sorry this has happened to you - ear infections usually clear up quite quickly and I hope he is feeling better ASAP. It absolutely always happens when you have something planned!!!

Pharmacies can prescribe antibiotic ear drops/sprays to under 18s now.

Thinking OP has gone .Fingers crossed for her and family .Hope she's got plenty of meds for herself and can doze in car .Poor woman .

Googling:

"Ear infections often get better in a few days. Painkillers and holding a warm or cold flannel to your ear can help. Sometimes medicines may be needed.

You can help avoid ear infections by not getting water in your ears and not putting cotton wool buds or your fingers in your ears."

Well that's dismissive isn't it? What's the worst pain you've ever been in? Then someone tells you you shouldn't use cotton buds. Or it's your fault you've got toothache, you shouldn't eat food, drink water. Yeah. Thanks for that helpful advice!

Or: googling again:

People also ask:
What is the quickest way to get rid of an ear infection?

Antibiotics are a medicine prescribed by your doctor. If you're dealing with an ear infection caused by bacteria, you'll likely need antibiotics. They are the best way of quickly getting rid of a bacterial infection and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body.

So, antibiotics is the first answer when you google!

Maybe I’m missing something, but where’s the misandry in the post you quoted?

Absolutely This

Please don't use olive oil! It's for dislodging wax only. Kids with ear infections are more likely to perforate an eardrum and putting olive in there would make the issue ten times worse!
Ibuprofen will be better, but back to back with Calpol will help. If you can get the antibiotics then he should be grand in a day or two. I would still go, kids are resilient and he will possibly just rest the 1st couple of days and then be full steam!

@Whatnowfgs ah sorry, didn’t realise you had quoted someone else.