Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Is this an ear infection? Photo included

6 replies

OtterMummy2024 · 25/03/2025 09:31

My normally happy 10 month old was off their milk and some of their food yesterday. We then had a bad night (couldn't get LO to sleep, two night wakes with inconsolable crying). It's really out of sorts for my baby, and I don't think it's teething as the top two teeth cut through ten days ago. We gave ibuprofen at bed time and Calpol at 2am.

Today, baby has been inconsolable since breakfast, didn't want to crawl or walk (which LO loves doing). We gave Calpol again at 8am and baby fell asleep on me (also put of character). Baby now has a bit of orange waxey fluid on their ear lobe - I've added a photo, it might not show up immediately.

We're away from home somewhere rural so going to the GP will be difficult. Is this an ear infection? Do we just ride it out with cuddles and pain relief? LO doesn't currently have a temperature. LO has a snotty cold at the weekend.

Is this an ear infection? Photo included
OP posts:
Pootles34 · 25/03/2025 09:34

It does look like it - mine used to get them with colds all the time. I don't think you need a gp yet - keep an eye on it for a few days.

If you do want to see someone, are you near a pharmacist?

Sagittarius25 · 25/03/2025 10:41

looks like it to me, DS had similar. docs won't prescribe antibiotics straight away, need to try a good few days managing with pain relief first. but you know your baby best, trust your gut.

foxxxxy · 25/03/2025 11:54

Usually when fluid starts leaking out it means the eardrum has perforated and technically it is releasing infection and should relieve the pain/pressure a little too.
Watch out for any signs of fever or worsening symptoms but in my experience my dc were always more distressed before this happened. Then we’d see the gunk and understand why they were so upset.

OtterMummy2024 · 25/03/2025 12:26

Thank you all, I'll keep a close eye and hopefully the worst is over now the ear drum has popped.

OP posts:
user1476542526 · 25/03/2025 13:30

@OtterMummy2024It looks like it could very well be, there’s often lots of crying before the eardrum bursts. I’d err on the side of caution and keep the ear completely dry at bath time/no swimming.

Eixample · 25/03/2025 13:36

My son needed three courses of antibiotics after a perforation so I would definitely try and see a GP

New posts on this thread. Refresh page