How long does discharge last after a burst eardrum infection?

[Meier]

Hi everyone,
my DD (11m) has an ear infection. She had been slightly snotty and grizzly (waking up more in the night but settled quickly on boob, we hadn’t even felt the need to give her medicine). We flew to Greece and I thought it was weird she was the only one in our family NOT bothered by the cabin pressure. The following morning loads of gunk came out her left ear, so we took her to the dr - she had a severe infection and a burst eardrum ! The dr couldn’t believe she hadn’t shown more signs of pain.
so she had 2x intramuscular antibiotics, has a 10d course of oral abs, and also antibiotic ear drops.
we are now on day 4, and although the discharge is getting less, there is still a bit.
Iv not had to deal with ear infections before (DD1 was an eye infection gal!) so just wondering how long it usually takes for the discharge to stop?
the dr here said should be totally gone by tomorrow but that feels unlikely … she also told us not to come back unless there is loads and to just get her seen back in England.
for fellow ear infections mammas, how long does the gunk usually last?

My DD had loads of infections and a couple of burst eardrums but never loads of gunk. But all babies are different and if she’s had a cold there will be lots to come out I guess. And maybe the cabin pressure caused more to dislodge? If it’s definitely lessening and she’s not feverish or anything I wouldn’t worry too much. If she’s super unhappy, no appetite, warm
and it’s still pouring out I would go back. If you’re worried about the infection side of things just really keep an eye on her temp and her appetite.

DD (now 4) has had about seven or
eight perforated eardrums. Every time she got a cold her right eardrum would burst (she has since had grommets fitted).

The first ear infection was the worse. Despite antibiotics it took weeks for the discharge to stop. But most of the other infections cleared up within a week with antibiotic eardrops.

Thank you both! So perhaps it’s not too worrying there is still discharge on day 4.

shes totally happy in herself, no fever, eating lots.

I think what I find worrying is there weren’t any signs! How do I stop it happening again if she won’t show us its building ?! 😬

There’s no way to stop it unfortunately, it’s just a build up of fluid behind the ear that causes it to burst. Only thing to watch out for is try to avoid swimming etc after it’s perforated and also minimise any dirt getting in. Some children are just very susceptible to them unfortunately. My DD rarely left any clues apart from general unhappiness, but you can look out for ear tugging/head tilting but mainly increased temp. GP’s actually don’t give antibiotics for a simple infection anymore, only for a perforation or if it’s infected both ears (at least that’s what mine said!)

I’ve never been offered drops so @DappledOliveGrovesmight know more about that, I’ve only ever been given amoxicillin but like I say only when it’s actually perforated.

Thank you. She was given some pretty hardcore antibiotics here in Greece - I panicked when I googled them due to reported toxicity, but they said one dose should be ok and they were treating aggressively to try and save our holiday !

I’ll take her to the GP when we are back and get her checked thoroughly.

she did spike a temp a couple of days before we came that lasted 24h. Maybe that was her warning. She’s about to start nursery so goodness knows what we have in store 🫣

When ds2 had a perforated eardrum as a baby the doctor told me that it isn't really painful for them, as their eardrums are far more flexible than an adult's. When his happened he was asleep in his cot. He just shrieked once and by the time I ran in he was asleep again so I left him. It wasn't until the next feed when I put a light on that I found all the dried on gunk all over him, his clothes and the bedding. YUK!