Do you have to see the Dr if 2yo's eardrum has perforated...

[AnnasBananas]

...the cold has been going on for almost two weeks but she is happy in herself, eating and sleeping as normal (just the grotty runny nose.) Yesterday I noticed dried gunk in one ear so I assume she's had an ear infection resulting in a perforation. She doesn't seem bothered by it at all. Do I need to see a Dr or will it just repair itself?

This is my first experience of an ear infection as DD1 (aged 4) has never had one yet.

Happened to DS3. No apparent pain, just gushing gunk for a few days. We did see the GP and gave antibiotics and swabbed it. Glad he did as the infection took lots to clear it in the end but you might get away with it.

You have to try not to let them get it too wet apparently also (bathing bit of an issue)

Follow-up if it can help anyone...

Was told by the GP if your child has ear discharge for the first time you should take them to the doctor.

We ended up at the out of hours clinic. Nurse practitioner confirmed that dd's ear drums were intact, but bulging and prescribed antibiotics. We started them right away and she has slowly got better over the week and the ears never perforated at all...lucky for all of us.

I phoned doc. from motorway service station to see if I needed to go to a&e when this first happened to dd ....he said I didn't even need to take her in to see him, unless she was in pain after(which she wasn't as the perforation had eased the pressure)and that it would all sort itself out..

Most doctors will not willingly prescribe antibiotics for ear infections as studies have demonstrated that the infection generally does not clear up any quicker. DD has had several ear infections, resulting in persistant glue ear and finally grommits in and adenoids out.

I don't think you need to do anything, but do be on the look out for hearing difficulties in the future.

Ds's burst when he was in hospital with pnuemonia. We were told to follow it up by his chest consultant as sometimes it doesn't heal properly causing a 'pearl' on the eardrum which may lead to hearing loss in the future.