Health officials urge simple self-care for childhood earache and stress the warning signs that mean medical help is needed
Parents are being urged to follow NHS advice when a child develops earache, after guidance shared on social media highlighted what helps and what can make things worse.
The message is timely: while most earaches are not serious, they can be intensely painful and distressing for children and worrying for families.
What parents should not do
According to guidance from the NHS, there are three key actions parents should avoid when a child has ear pain.
- Do not put anything into the ear, including cotton buds or tissues
- Do not attempt to remove earwax at home
- Try to keep water out of the ear while it is painful, as moisture can worsen irritation or infection.
These practices are common but can aggravate symptoms or cause injury, particularly in young children.
What usually helps
For pain relief, the NHS advises using age-appropriate doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen if the child can take them safely. Parents are also encouraged to speak to a local pharmacist, who can offer advice and, in some cases, treatment.
Most ear infections in children improve on their own within two to three days, without the need for antibiotics or specialist care.
When to seek medical advice
Parents should seek medical help sooner if certain warning signs appear. These include a temperature of 38°C or above, fluid leaking from the ear, noticeable hearing loss or changes in hearing - or symptoms that last longer than two to three days.
Urgent advice is also recommended if a child seems generally unwell, very irritable, or if a child under two has earache in both ears.
Prevention and reassurance
Health services also advise keeping children’s ears dry where possible and avoiding smoky environments, which can increase the risk of ear infections.
Parents are advised not to try to diagnose the cause of earache themselves and to contact a GP or urgent care service if the criteria for concern are met.
“We often see children and adults whose ear pain has been made worse by well-meaning home remedies,” said Micaela Stonestreet, a Clinical Audiologist at Hearology®. “The safest approach is normally to stick to pain relief, avoid placing anything in the ear - and to seek professional help if symptoms persist.”
For parents who are unsure, audiologists, pharmacists and GPs can offer tailored advice, and prompt action is encouraged if symptoms escalate or fail to improve.
References
- NHS Earache - The NHS provides comprehensive information on earache, detailing common causes, symptoms, and treatment options
- NHS Ear Infections - This NHS page focuses on ear infections, particularly in children, highlighting symptoms like earache, high temperature and hearing difficulties
- How to treat your child’s earache - Nurofen provides guidance on treating children's earaches, including symptoms like ear pulling, irritability and fever
