lynn Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 would you make a drs appointment immediately or wait a day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
always cookin' Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I have found that my kids' ear infections go away on their own after a day or two. Whenever I would go to the dr., they would prescribe antibiotics which weren't really necessary. I would give them Motrin or Tylenol and wait a day or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 My ds when he was three said his ears hurt, once at 3 AM. I got out the hot water bottle and went back to bed. He seemed fine in the morning but by afternoon was really punk with a fever and just not even talking. He turned out to have a perforated eardrum, and I never even saw any discharge. So this experience colors my answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Wait.... Unless a kid is very young and has had frequent ear infections, I generally wouldn't worry at all. Both colds and ear infections are generally viral so doc isn't able to actually do anything about it anyway. If they persist, then an antibiotic can handle the possible secondary infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Why not buy an otoscope? That's what I did. Drug stores carry cheap ones. The brochure inside (and info online) will show you what an ear infection looks like. You'll save lots of money and time, believe me. And, when a child sticks a knitting needle in his brother's ear, you'll be able to tell immediately that the eardrum has been punctured and rush to the doctor. Ask me how I know. Shudder. Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I personally would wait. If they continue complaining the next day, I would probably call the dr. If it was a Friday, and I couldn't call my dr. on the weekend, I might go ahead and call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I would wait. The current recommendations for ear infections is to be very conservative with antibiotics because most will go away on their own anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 An earache doesn't necessarily mean an ear infection. When I get a cold or stuffy sinuses, my ear will hurt a bit, but once the pressure shifts, the pain is gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I know I am fortunate. I had ear infections as a child and I remember how agonizing they were. If my kids were in that kind of pain, I wouldn't wait 5 minutes. But typically when my children have had colds and ear aches, they go away with the cold and with maybe decongestants to reduce pressure. Only once have we needed antibiotics. So with that history, I would wait. But if your child has a history of ear infections, I wouldn't wait - I would go and get the drugs, and they you have them if you need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 It depends on how your child responds to ear infections (if it is an infection, it could just be an ache from sinus or something). My DD can get over them on her own, my middle DS ends up with BAD infections that lead to perforated ear drums, and my youngest DS had to have antibiotics with a fever due to his immune system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I wouldn't go unless the earache lasted 3-4 days or more. We haven't ever had that happen - they almost always go away on their own. I have had a perforated ear drum, and while it hurt it healed just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnetteB Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 We apply a warm slice of onion in a thin cloth....really. Slightly warmed olive oil drops are soothing, also. Eliminate dairy from their diet and anything else that adds to congestion. Homemade chicken soup with lots of garlic and breath the steam. Even a ruptured eardrum doesn't necessarily warrant antibiotics. Ds had his ruptured playing in the public swimming pool when another boy threw a ball at the side of his head and the pressure was too much:glare: The pediatrician took a look and said, "Yup, it is ruptured." We've also had ear infections that led to total meltdowns inside the ear and probable ruptures(they couldn't be 100% sure for all the discharge). We've treated them with and without antibiotics and it seems like it is something that you and the pediatrician have to decide weighing what is right/best for your dc. Some pediatricians are quicker to write the script than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicmommy Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 It truly depends on which child it is. If it is my youngest, then yes, I would call right away. He has a history of ear infections with colds and they don't go away on their own. (He has a blood disorder which makes it so his body can't fight off illness as quickly as others) For the other two, I would probably wait for a day or so because they have had earaches that have gone away after a day when they've had colds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katiebug_1976 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I put vitamin E in their ears. Even if it is not an ear infection, it wont hurt, but if it is, vitamin E helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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