My son is screaming in pain with ear ache-what do I do????

[MilaMae]

We've given him Calpol and ibruprufen,not touching it at all. He's just screaming and screaming we're really stumped as to what we do. Do we take him anywhere or is there something we can give him?????

Has he an infection? How do you know it's earache? How old is ds?

I used to get loads of ear infections when I was little and my mum would wrap a hot water bottle in a silk/silky scarf and I would rest my ear against it ... it really helped! Just make sure the hot water bottle isnt too hot.

Might be worth ringing NHS direct and see what they say

He's 41/2 says his ear hurts,throat too. Done the hot water bottle,got thrown across the room.

Do we take him to A&E or would they be pissed off?

Is there anything we're not doing?

This is hideous,1st ear ache we've had with any of them ,don't know what to do.

Forgot NHS Direct will ring.

If you wanna take him A&E, take him, they will not be pissed off. Your son is in pain, how can they be pissed off?
Give the NHS helpline a ring, see what they say and if you still not sure then, take him hospital.
Hope he feels better soon.

You should have an out-of-hours number to call. Phone your GP's number (which shuld have a recorded message) or NHS Direct to find out.

A&E is not appropriate for your ds I'm afraid - apart from anything else you may have to wait hours anyway. Which is wrong (remembering friend's dc who had to wait nearly 6 hours to be seen for a broken leg recently - she's 3 ffs and was fainting with the pain)

Take him to A&E. They will not be pissed off. They will be able to prescribe antibiotics and advise on painkillers. Sounds
like he has an infection. Get it checked out.

Your GP should have an out of hours arrangement, call them - it will be quicker than A&E!

On a practical level, keep him upright, rather than lying him down. It will hurt less.

If just a standard ear infection I have vast experience of these, both my own and ds'. They are incredibly painful. If he's in this much pain and the painkillers aren't touching it, it may be about to perforate, which should relieve the pressure and ease the pain considerably. All we can do with ds is calpol, ibuprofen, cuddles and hope it pops quickly - you'll know if it does as he'll settle down and it'll start to ooze gunge. Then get him checked by GP tomorrow who can discuss if anti-bs are necessary or not - wouldn't do A&E tonight if you are sure it's just an ear infection.

Oh and the calpol and ibuprofen can take a while to kick in too - the ibuprofen takes an hour or so to work with ds but it is good stuff when it does. Good luck ...

Prop him up in bed with lots of pillows, so he is virtually upright. Hot water bottle wrapped in a towel/pillowcase next to sore ear.
Distraction, eg telly, or stories, or cuddles, painkillers at regular intervals ( a bit more that recommended if it is that bad) until it pops.

Yes do get him checked if you can. My dd and ds have had awful ear infections before and they are agony for sure.

Sometimes, I know this sounds awful, it's because there is pressure building behind the ear drum. It could burst and some gunky stuff comes out.

This sounds bad but the pain often subsides and the eardrum does heal. Do get him checked though because he might need AB's.

agree with others about keeping him upright,and also about phoning the out of hours gp,at least that way if he does need ab's then he can get started on them quicker.

i remember screaming in pain with earache .try to make sure he isnt sticking his finger in there.i seem to recall doing that and regretting it as it made it hurt far more!

Thankyou so much all had to go as only wanted me. The ibruprufen must have started to work as screaming subsided for a while and he's actually sleeping, just moaning in his sleep at the mo.

Going to go and get some sleep as pretty sure it's going to be a looooong night. Will sit him up with a dvd when he wakes and wait for popping and gunge. Docs 1st thing tomorrow.

Thankyou so much again,can't tell you how reassuring it is to get advice from other mums. Just this minute finished the washing from dd's huge throw up last night !!!!!!!

Ibuprofen is recommended for earache. Calpol doesnt really touch it.

Give another dose in 4 hours or so.

Glad he's feeling more settled.
DD1 had this late at night years ago.
I rang out of hours GP, who told me to forget the 4hour interval and over a short period to give more frequently, to ease the pain. I don't want to give you advice like this, but want to let you know if you are given the same advice, not to worry, it was OK.

Message withdrawn

i had a severe pain in my ear a few months ago wasnt an infection my inner ear swelled against my ear drum i never felt pain like it[including childbirth] the only thing that got me through the night until i could see the doctor was holding a frozen bundy against my earbut it really did help with the pain although the doctor probably wondered why i had a head full of crumbs

Oh, sympathise. Agree that it's on a par with childbirth. I'd ring GP to get stronger drugs though.

slice an onion and lay over his ear. It will help. It has antiseptic properties.

you can get some drops with pain relief in them that are far more effective than taking it orally from the GP.

it's not always an infection and you DEFINITELY want to have a doctor confirm it is before giving antibiotics.