Saving this page to a PDF file.
Chrome
Step 1: Click the "Print this page" button. Alternatively, press Ctrl + P (on Mac, use Cmd + P)
Step 2: In the resulting pop-up window, click the Down Arrow to the right of Destination and select Save As PDF in the drop-down menu. You can also optionally choose to hide 'Headers and Footers' with a checkbox.
IE/Edge
Step 1: Click the "Print this page" button. Alternatively, press Ctrl + P (on Mac, use Cmd + P)
Step 2: On the following dialog, under Printer, choose 'Microsoft Print to PDF'
Click 'Print' and you have saved your webpage to a PDF file.
Earache
Earache and ear pain is common in young children. It can be painful, but is not usually a sign of anything serious. It can be caused by an infection in the ear canal or the ear.
A young child might have earache if they:
- rub or pull their ear
- do not react to some sounds
- have a temperature of 38oC or above
- are irritable or restless
- are off their food
- keep losing their balance
Swimmers ear is common in children who swim. It occurs when water into the ear canal and causes infection.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Breathing very fast or breathing that stops or pauses
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the rib, unable to talk or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Becomes pale, blue, mottled and/or unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
- Weak, high-pitched, continuous cry or extremely agitated
- Has a fit (seizure)
- A temperature less than 36oC or temperature 38oC or more if baby is less than 3 months
- Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure and seems unwell (see the 'Glass Test')
You need urgent help
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
-
Has pain, redness or swelling behind the ear
-
Severe headache persisting despite regular painkillers
-
Dizziness or is losing their balance
-
Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
-
Dry skin, lips or tongue
-
Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
-
Poor feeding in babies (less than half of their usual amount)
-
Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
-
Is 3 to 6 months old with temperature 39°C or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
-
Temperature of 38°C or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
-
Temperature less than 36°C in those over 3 months
-
Getting worse and I am still worried
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If none of the above features are present
-
Watch them closely for any change and look out for any of the red or amber concerns.
-
If your child has any other concerns, you may want to look at the information on cough and cold, diarrhoea and vomiting or our other pathways.
-
Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies.
-
If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111
How long does earache last?
It depends on what's causing it. Most earaches in children are caused by an ear infection, which usually start to improve after a few days.
If you want to know if your child should go to school or nursery, visit our page.
How to treat earache
There are some things you can do to help relieve earache and ear pain. Most of the time the pain gets better in a few days. In some cases, pus may run out of the ear which suggest that the fluid which is built up behind the eardrum has caused the hole in the eardrum and this tends to heal by itself.
Do:
- use painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
- place a warm or cold flannel on the ear
- encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids
Don’t:
- do not put anything inside the ear, such as cotton buds
- do not try to remove earwax
- do not let water get inside the ear - if your child swims regularly make sure their ears stay dry.
Treatment
Most ear infections are caused by viruses and do not require any treatment with antibiotics. Sometimes antibiotics may be required.
Prevention:
It is not possible to prevent ear infections however you can do things to help reduce your child chance of developing an infection:
- Avoid cleaning your child’s ears with cotton buds – this may damage and irritate the ear canal and pushes wax further into the ear. Wax is designed to come out by itself.
- Try not to let soap or shampoo get into your child’s ear canal.
- Try to keep your child’s ears dry.
- Ensure your child is up-to-date with their immunisations
- Avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke.
Where should you seek help?
- If it is non-urgent, speak to your local pharmacist or health visitor.
- If your child has any of the above features, urgently contact your GP surgery. For an urgent out-of-hours GP appointment, call NHS 111.
- You should only call 999 or go your nearest A&E department in critical or life threatening situations.
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.