Ear Infection - how to tell in a toddler?

[IlanaK]

My 13 month old has been rubbing at both ears all day. He stops playing and puts his hands up to his head and rubs them over his ears looking a bit cross. I tried gently pressing on each ear in turn to see if he reacted in pain. He didn't like it, but didn't seem like he was in a lot of pain from it. He is otherwise well.

Is it ear infections? Or could it be something else?

does he have a temp? could he be teething?

if he has a temp take him to the dr in the morning to check.

I'm afraid I've only realised once the ear has started weeping. Both my DD's have had them and I didn't notice them pulling at ears, they were just generally unsettled particularly at night when lying down. Only realised what the problem was the following morning when the eardrum had burst.

Both have recovered well and hearing seems fin BTW.

Sounds like an ear infection, they are often (not always) hot, grumpy and keep holding/rubbing their ears. The pain irritates them and they are trying to make it go away.

It's best to get him seen by the out of hours, some paracetamol should help, they sound sore to me, even if there's no infection they may just be painful, best to let the out of hours decide.

I used to stick my nose in DDs ear, I could smell the infection it sounds like one TBH. Stock up on painkilers.

Well, no temp and generally seems well. He has gone to bed well enough so I guess only time will tell.

Thanks.