Ear pain is common in children and can have many causes—including ear
infection (otitis media), swimmer’s ear (infection of the skin in the ear
canal), pressure from a cold or sinus infection, teeth pain radiating up
the jaw to the ear, and others. .To identity the difference, your pediatrician will need to examine
your child’s ear. In fact, an in-office exam is still the best way for your
pediatrician to make an accurate diagnosis. If your child’s ear pain is
accompanied by a high fever, involves both ears, or if your child has other
signs of illness, your pediatrician may decide that an antibiotic is the
best treatment.
infection (otitis media), swimmer’s ear (infection of the skin in the ear
canal), pressure from a cold or sinus infection, teeth pain radiating up
the jaw to the ear, and others. .To identity the difference, your pediatrician will need to examine
your child’s ear. In fact, an in-office exam is still the best way for your
pediatrician to make an accurate diagnosis. If your child’s ear pain is
accompanied by a high fever, involves both ears, or if your child has other
signs of illness, your pediatrician may decide that an antibiotic is the
best treatment.
Amoxicillin is the preferred antibiotic for middle ear infections—except
when there is an allergy to penicillin or chronic or recurrent infections.
Many true ear infections are caused by viruses and do not require
antibiotics. If your pediatrician suspects your child’s ear infection may
be from a virus, he or she will talk with you about the best ways to help
relieve your child’s ear pain until the virus runs its course.
