Is your child tugging at their earlobe and complaining of sudden ear pain? Is your infant suddenly fussy and not sleeping well? Ear pain in children is a common concern, one that many parents have experienced. How do you know when ear symptoms mean your child has an ear infection?
Emerald Coast Urgent Care features convenient care for ear pain and many other health issues in children and adults. With locations in Destin, Inlet Beach, and Panama City Beach, exceptional care is closer than you think.
What Causes Ear Pain in Children?
Ear discomfort in children can have many causes, including:
- Allergens.
- Cold air.
- Air pressure changes.
- A cold or other viral illness.
- Trauma.
- Water trapped in the ear canal.
An ear infection is one common cause of ear pain in children, especially after colds or other upper respiratory infections.
Does My Child Have an Ear Infection?
An ear infection (otitis media) is one common cause of ear pain in children. It happens when mucus builds up in the middle ear (the space between the eardrum and the inner ear) and becomes infected with bacteria.
Symptoms of an ear infection include:
- Ear pain.
- Fever.
- Diminished hearing.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Loss of appetite.
- Fussiness.
- Tugging on the earlobe.
When to Go to Urgent Care for Ear Pain
It’s a good idea to see a provider if you notice symptoms of an ear infection in a child. Getting a clear diagnosis and the proper treatment is essential, and urgent care is an excellent choice.
Other indications you should take your child to urgent care include:
- Discharge from their ear (pus or blood).
- Significant ear pain.
- Symptoms that last more than four days.
- Irritability or sleep changes in an infant or toddler after a cold or other respiratory illness.
- Symptoms in a child younger than 6 months.
What Can Urgent Care Do for Ear Pain?
In urgent care, a provider will discuss your child’s symptoms and do a physical exam. The provider will likely use an otoscope to look inside your child’s ear for signs of an ear infection.
If your child does have an ear infection, their provider will choose the best treatment based on their exam findings and the duration of symptoms. Some ear infections clear up on their own, but some require treatment with an antibiotic.
When your child is sick, you don’t want to wait for an appointment or sit in a busy emergency department. Simply walk in to Emerald Coast Urgent Care between 9 am and 6 pm any day of the week for fast, exceptional care!
