Leaking ear with visible pus.... it stinks bad

[chittychittybangbang80]

I've only just noticed tonight when checking in on my son that he has a really foul smelling ear which is covered in pus and leaking fluid. Should I take him to the doctors/A&E or do something?
He hasn't shown any visible signs of pain and was dancing around all evening to jingle bells. He is 2 and a half....
No temperature, his outer ear is red and you can visibly see white pus on it and the pillow case had yellow liquid wax on it when I moved him.
I'm just worried that it's something bad (pls reassure me!)

when in doubt check it out.Children can quickly go from jumping about to being very ill from ear infections.I would take them to a&e to just be on the safe side

Sounds like an ear infection/perforated ear drum. Can you call out of hours for antibiotics if he needs them?

Any chance he’s put something in his ear?

I would get it seen asap

I would get it seen asap too. Sorry Op!

Hope he's ok.

Call 111 for advice, bad ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss

Not a&e, have you got a pharmacy open nearby? They can treat some ear infections and tell you where to go for others

Please get him seen bad smell hopefully mean’s infection on way out but you need to be sure

This is the ear

We are four hours away from home literally in the middle of nowhere at my Mums. Should I head to a&e as no doctors for 15 miles - gosh now I'm even more worried

I had a perforated ear drum as a cold, it leaked yellow pus and was very painful. Can cause hearing loss in that ear. My infection spread to both ears but only one perforated. He may need antibiotics. I wouldn’t wait for the GP to open next week myself. Call 111. Poor little mite, hope he’s ok.

My son had a perforated eardrum. I told his paediatrician (I live abroad) and she was adamant she see him ASAP as apparently ear infections get nasty quickly and can get complicated. I kept saying he seemed fine but she gave me scary exams on what could happen so I brought him in. Your son might just need a course of antibiotics. Did you call 111? I'd bring him to A and E if that's your only option.

Examples

He really hasnt given any visible signs of pain or discomfort it was only the yellow wax on the pillow and when I took the case off I realised it stank. Then looked at his ear. I've cleaned the outside of the lobe and side of his face with warm water and he didn't wake. I'm not going anywhere near the inner ear and won't touch it again.
If he is poorly I'll take him straight away to the local a&e.
Gosh I do hope it's nothing serious - I'm concerned he has had it for longer and I've just not realised or that tomorrow he is going to be in pain and I'm a million miles away from home.
I'll try to stop worrying I guess and see what the night brings.
Sound asleep right now and temperature is normal.

Nobody can tell from that op. He needs a Dr to look inside with a special instrument for looking inside ears. Do not touch, use an ear bud, put cotton wool in his ear or any drops.

It's interesting he didn't howl. When mine have had a perforated ear drum they were in acute pain before it burst.

If he's sleeping soundly and doesn't have a temperature I might just ride it out, checking him every 90 mins or so (do you have a partner to help). If anything changes, temp, pain, distress, I'd be minded to take him to A&E.

Please take him to A and E

My son suffers with awful ear infections. He's had 28 infections since he was 10
Months old he's now 2.5 years old 🤦‍♀️ sounds exactly like and ear infection. Now the drum has burst they may be ok. Usually I find it's the lead up that's worse as the pressure causes them pain.

If your child is ok in themselves is eating and drinking as normal and doesn't have a temp I wouldn't seek further advice yet. You can treat at home with Nurofen and calpol. They don't always need antibiotics. I would not be going to a and e tonight unless they drastically change.

I'm going to wake him and take him to A&E I think. I don't want it to be something dangerous and to get any worse (just weird he has no temperature) that's why I wanted to double check here first as what would other Mums do - I'll get the doctors opinion as that's the best option

Can you call 111 instead? They can sometimes make an appointment off you at a&e or even prescribe antibiotics on the nurses call back. Another one with a 2.5 year old with recurring ear infections, always a leaky ear always a perforated eardrum and almost always amoxicillin to treat

When my son gets ear infections he's in agony with them..

Looks more like glue ear. Definitely get it checked but I would t wake him up just now to take him. X

I'm trying to upload a pic of my sons right now as he started with one a few days ago but it won't let me upload. It looks worse that your pic (not that it's a race to the bottom just to offer reassurance!)

Not everyone reacts to pain in the same way. For example, some individuals with autism don't react to changes in temperature even if it is very hot or very cold but loud sounds can cause physical pain. I'm not suggesting he has ASD, just that just because he isn't reacting to the pain it doesn't mean it's not there or isn't a problem.

I would ring 111 for an out of hours appointment if possible, I wouldn't drive to A&E if I could help it.

Yep I've just woken my Mum and going to call 111 first. I'm just in panic mode now! Thanks everyone for advice and your time x

Hopefully you can just get a prescription sent to a pharmacy nearby and you don't have to spend Christmas in A&E!

I really wouldn't be in a and e with an ear infection especially if no temp. You will be waiting hours and hours just to be triaged.

111 are going to tell you to go to a and e cos that's what they do 🤦‍♀️

I means it's up to you as it's your child and you know them best but 28 occasions later a and e would be my last place on Xmas Eve!