Ear discharge - walk in centre?

[ByDreamyMintNewt]

Hi,

My 14 month old woke up this morning with an ear full of dark yellowy orange/brown wax or gunk. I cleaned it this morning and there's now definitely more, so it must be coming out more rather than just some kind of build up. He has been slightly more grumpy than usual, slightly off his food and a very slight temperature - however nothing massively bothering him it doesn't seem. Usually I'd just wait and see, but I'm a bit more cautious as I remember hearing that ear discharge always means antibiotics? And that it can get worse quickly?

Anyone experienced in these matters who can advise?

My oldest DS had terrible issues with ears and tonsils resulting in grommets, tonsillectomy and adenoid removal at 18 months old. In my experience discharge from ears always needed antibiotics - no suggestion of anything else by doctors at the hospital or GP. I’d phone 111 and see if they offer appointments at your local walk in centre. If not then alternatively I would turn up at A&E/Urgent Care - again, in my experience if left these things tended to get worse fairly quickly.

Mine had this and was fine once the gunk came out (miserable monster prior to that). The GP offered antibiotics but my LO was obviously on the mend and has been fine for the last six months, no recurrence.