• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Toddler Ear Pain

January 25, 2011 by ds_15457 Leave a Comment

Earaches often affect toddlers for a variety of reasons. Pinpointing the exact cause of the pain becomes more challenging if your toddler isn’t able to express himself verbally. Some toddlers lack the ability to express where the pain is located at all. Learning to spot the signs of toddler ear pain and what to do about it gets your child back on the road to recovery.

Causes

The Eustachian tube, a short, narrow tube connects the middle ear to the nasal passages. It allows fluids to drain from the middle ear and helps keep ear pressure equalized. The Eustachian tube can become inflamed and secretions can build up from colds and allergies; this can cause ear pain and infections. Sinus infections and sore throats can also sometimes cause pain in the ears. Other potential causes of ear pain at the toddler age include an object pushed into the ear, injury to the ear, high-altitude pressure changes or a ruptured eardrum.

Symptoms

If your toddler cannot verbalize his ear pain, he will show other signs in most cases. Watch your child closely for signs of ear infection if he has cold or allergy symptoms. Ear infections often include fever, fussiness, change in appetite and difficulty sleeping. Your toddler might pull on his ears or complain of ear pain. With a more severe infection, the eardrum can rupture and cause pus or other drainage from the ear. According to Ask Dr. Sears, these ruptured eardrums heal normally; in fact, the rupture might ease your child’s pain because of the release of pressure.

Diagnosis

A trip to the doctor’s office confirms an infection if one is present. The doctor will examine your child’s ears to detect the presence of an infection. He might also examine your child’s nose and throat to look for other potential problems. Keep track of your toddler’s symptoms and when they began as the doctor will ask for this information.

Treatment

Doctors choose to treat some ear infections with antibiotics, while others clear up on their own. Your child’s physician may wait 24 hours to see how the ear pain progresses. A washcloth cooled with water relieves some ear pain when placed on the ear. An over-the-counter pain reliever made for toddlers reduces the pain and associated fever if your child is uncomfortable. Over-the-counter ear drops are another option unless your toddler’s eardrum ruptured. Consult with your child’s physician before using over-the-counter medications to avoid potential complications.

Considerations

Some toddlers are more susceptible to ear infections and experience frequent ear pain. A baby exposed to cigarette smoke might have more ear infections, according to MedlinePlus. Limit your child’s exposure to smoke and keep allergies under control to prevent progression to an ear infection. Ear tubes are an option for some toddlers who experience recurrent ear infections. The tubes allow the ear to drain and function properly for fewer ear infections.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Living Healthy

About ds_15457

Shelley Frost has been a freelance writer since 2007, specializing in parenting and education. Her work can be found on websites such as ModernMom.com and PreschoolRock.com. Frost holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in reading from the University of Northern Iowa.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Brooke Burke: My Slim Down Secrets

Everywhere I look, I hear about a new fitness fad, a quick … [Read More...] about Brooke Burke: My Slim Down Secrets

Must Have

ToniBox

Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

If you are looking for something to occupy your children … [Read More...] about Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

Did you know?

Cravings & the Sex of the Baby

Cravings & the Sex of the Baby

Causes of Lethargy in Toddlers

Can Self Rising Flour Substitute for Baking Soda?

Coconut Oil

Why Coconut Oil Is So Good For Pregnant & Nursing Mothers

cold sore and fever blister remedies

Cold Sore and Fever Blister Remedies

How to Help Young Kids Lose Weight

What Can I Substitute for Butter When Making Frosting?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.