Nearly perforated eardrum and air flight looming...

[Nothingtosay]

DC is newly 13 and has had extreme earache since Friday evening. (Also sore throat like razorblades and fever.) Attended the emergency gp service on Saturday and got pain killers and antibiotics. I was told the drum had not yet burst but still might. Blood in ear however.

Child still in huge pain and now can't hear. Has had five does of penicillin so was hoping things might have been a bit better by now.

Was wondering whether it is obvious when the ear drum actually does burst. I will contact the surgery tomorrow but just thought I'd ask fellow mumsnetters
.

Child is also flying on Fri Dec 7 to London. Apparently if perforated flying is OK as there is no additional pressure problems. However, if it hasn't burst I'd hate DC to be in agony.

When it bursts it will be a bit gooey , probably with a bit of blood in it . DDs eardrum used to burst a lot, it mainly happened when she was asleep and her face and hair would he matted or wet.

I was told by my Dr that it was ok to fly before it had burst.

Once it bursts the pain should go.

Hope they are better soon

I've had it. You feel the pressure mounting up and up but when it does burst the relief is amazing. Quite a bit of pus and gunk so a good clean out with salty water should help

Thanks all. It sounds as if has not yet burst and that for an older child they would have a good chance of knowing.

Since I've posted DC has eaten a little pasta and lemon sole which is first proper food in about 36 hours so probably the penicillin is kicking in. I think having some food also helps the drugs to work. Fingers crossed we have turned a corner.

Salty water seems a really good idea if it does eventually pop. Thank you all again for taking the trouble to reply. I feel supported!! xx