Earache - screaming 4 year old

[screamer1]

Is there anything I an do, bar calpol? They've just woken screaming in pain clutching ear. Was give before bed.

Calpol is paracetamol based so you can alternate with ibuprofen.

Nurofen and something hot against their ear.

Definitely neurofen. Also seems to hurt them more when they lie down flat, so avoid that where possible.

Definitely add in ibuprofen. Always helps my DS. Also if you can give him another pillow to prop him up, that also seems to help.

Warm damp flannel against the ear.

Yep, double whammy of calpol and calprofen. Poor little sausage, hope he feels better soon.

Thank you! Are we ok to give Full dose of ibuprofen straight after the calpol?

I believe so.

Thank you all! Ack, and merry Christmas!

You can but it's best to alternate or do half doses more often, otherwise you are waiting for the next dose. A and e or 111 if it doesn't improve

My dd just had this and needed paracetamol and ibuprofen to get on top of the pain, a hot water bottle as well.

Both her eardrums burst 😓

Ibuprofen works better. Warm hot water bottle on ear. Also can try giving them a stream inhalation to open up their nasal tubes (reduces pressure in ear). 8 years of glue ear with Ds2 so bit of an earache veteran.

My DD age 5 has been like this for 2 weeks.

She showed me a huge new tooth this morning that has pushed its way through her gum. I think thats what the ear pain & snotty nose has been.

Just so you know, it could be that.

Sleep almost sitting up on pillows, not flat.

Put some salt in a sock and heat it up on frying pan. Check it against your inside arm first but then use it to put against the ear.

DS used to suffer from ear infections and they usually appear before you can get to the doctor for antibiotics. Your poor baby, I hope you all get some sleep.

My friends son has ear problems, whenever she leaves it and just uses painkillers he ends up worse and with an ear infection requiring antibiotics. My advice is call nhs 24 and try get an appointment

Poor ds3 had this a couple of years ago. He ended up in the out of hours doctors with a burst ear drum on Christmas morning so keep an eye out for fluid coming out.

And just for information.. the cochrane report on antibiotics might reassure you that immediate antibiotics may not be any better than treating with analgesics alone.

www.cochrane.org/CD000219/ARI_antibiotics-for-acute-middle-ear-infection-acute-otitis-media-in-children

I hate antibiotics but think medical advice if it doesn't clear by morning