5yo with earache, what to do? Typically sudden onset on a Friday afternoon.

[Flightattendant27]

He's been fine, had the same yucky cold we've all got. We were all in the garden and came in about 3.30 and he said his neck hurt, which I think is glands, and then his ear and started crying. His face is quite hot, I'm thinking maybe an ear infection - obviously - and have just got half a spoon of calpol down him mixed with hot chocolate (the only way he'll have anything at all - is totally medicine phobic.)

He's cross and tired and very pink.

What can i do tonight/ over the weekend? Is he likely to need antibiotics? (God preserve us that'll be a challenge!)

I know there's out of hours if we get stuck but tbh am considering ringing surgery now and trying to get seen before weekend to avoid that.

Any thoughts? He's been fine really till 3.30.

Have just rung surgery and the lady said she's asked the Dr to ring us back...

ds now being a loon again with his transformer. He is not known for his restful composure.

Earache is horrid, i had this with my ds last Friday, I was given a presription for antibiotics eardrops and told only to get them if it got worse, i got the drops the next day.

This is mad but it works if the earache is brought on by cold and wind.

Halve an onion, put the cut end against his ear, hold in place with scarf, leave until pain goes.

If it doesn't work then it's probably an infection.

DD once had terrible earache when we were out for sunday lunch - I arranged an emergency appointment and gave her paracetamol and ibuprofen because she was so upset. By the time the appointment came round she was absolutely fine and never complained about her ears again.

Unless there are other worrying symptoms you could rely on painkillers and see if it is worse tomorrow.

If you can get an appointment and the doctor thinks the ear looks red, you can always get a prescription for antibiotics and not get it made up unless you need it.

Thankyou very much, I will try and remember the onion trick if it happens again...Dr rang back, and said nowadays they usually leave it as it's mostly viral and should go in a day or two. He said to give painkillers and give it 48 hours unless he's in terrible pain, in which case they might start him on ab's.
He was v reassuring and ds is up and playing merrily again so fingers crossed it won't be a bad night...have got root canal tomorrow, so need to prepare!!

Thanks again x