How to Treat Toddler Ear Infections
Ear infections in young children are as common as contracting the common cold. Most ear infections will dissipate by themselves within three days and do not require antibodies. That said, a child's discomfort might fuel the need for a parent to try to help them through the pain. Several over-the-counter medications are available to reduce pain, but it is advised that you visit your doctor before attempting any form of treatment on your child.
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Instructions
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Visit your doctor to determine if you are dealing with an ear infection. The doctor will look inside your child's ear to deduce if the eardrum is red (a quick and painless process).
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Follow the doctor's instructions if an antibiotic needs to be given. Most cases do not require it unless the problem has persisted for more than three days.
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Ask your doctor if it is safe to administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen (as in Children's Tylenol) if no antibiotic is prescribed. The doctor might prescribe ear drops with an anesthetic (such as lidocaine), which have been shown to reduce pain.
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Give plenty of TLC, and stay patient during your child's sleepless nights. Comfort items and soothing sounds (music and your voice) offer support.
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Provide extra liquids. Some children feel better by sucking on a bottle or sipping on their sippy cup. However, there is no evidence that this reduces pain.
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Tips & Warnings
Here are some tips to identify that the problem is an ear infection: child pulls on his ear, has discharge coming from the ear, has possible hearing loss, displays discomfort if the ear is touched and has a fever.
Administering any kind of treatment to a young child, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, should be monitored by the child's physician at all times.
Doctors and parents are becoming more hesitant of antibiotics because of the increase of drug-resistant organisms.
