Ear infections are one of the most common ailments among children. Still, having one can be an unpleasant experience. Though a pediatrician may sometimes prescribe antibiotics to treat them if needed, this isn’t always the case. In fact, if the infection is mild, your child’s pediatrician may send you home to wait it out, as 70% of cases will resolve on their own.
So what can you do while you’re engaged in “watchful waiting” over the next few days? There are a few remedies you can try at home to help ease the fever and pain until the infection subsides.
Doctor-Approved At-Home Remedies for Child Ear Infections
Ear infections can cause a number of concerning symptoms. These infections are often painful, causing children to pull at the infected ear in an attempt to drain the fluid. When your child has an ear infection, you may also begin to see signs of:
- Fever
- Irritability
- Redness (around the ear)
- Appetite reduction or loss
- Balance issues
- Sleep challenges
- Discharge around the ear
These symptoms are typical and may last for a few days while the infection starts to clear. In the meantime, the at-home remedies you can use are all aimed toward relieving these individual symptoms. Here are some treatment options you can use to comfort your child while the infection clears.
Cold Symptom Treatment
In some cases, children may develop ear infections during or after a cold because they can cause mucus buildup in the nose, throat, and eustachian tubes. If your child has a stuffy nose while their ears are also clogged and painful, it can make it difficult to breathe and get proper rest.
While waiting for the ear infection to pass, you can treat their stuffy nose with saline nasal spray or saline drops, making sure to use this solution only when age-appropriate. Though this won’t clear their ear infection any faster, it can help open their nasal passageways and allow them to breathe for a few hours. Additionally, moisture from a humidifier can help loosen and drain some mucus buildup.
Over-the-Counter Medication
Over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve discomfort. Acetaminophen is excellent as a pain reliever and fever reducer for babies who are three to six months of age. For children over six months, you can use ibuprofen as an alternative remedy.
It’s important that you follow all instructions on the label as well as consult your pediatrician before administering these medications. The dosage for your child will be based on their age and weight.
Cold or Warm Compress
Both heat and cold can help relieve ear infection symptoms. The cold compress will numb the area around the ear and help reduce inflammation.
Your child also may respond better to a warm compress, which can soften earwax and relax the muscles around the ear canal. This helps get the fluid moving so the infection can drain. Whether you choose to use a cold or hot compress, make sure the temperature isn’t too extreme before handing it to your child or placing it against their skin.
Extra Fluids
Drinking water and other clear fluids is crucial because it can help thin your mucus and flush the virus or bacteria that led to the infection out of the body, facilitating a quicker healing process. The swallowing motion also helps to open up your child’s eustachian tubes, which provides some much-needed relief for blocked ears.
Finally, children who have a fever may lose fluid more rapidly through their skin and other organs. Making sure your child drinks enough fluids prevents dehydration due to this rapid fluid loss.
Change the Sleeping Position
Getting plenty of rest helps your child fight an ear infection by strengthening their immune system. However, changing the way that they sleep can also be helpful in getting rid of an ear infection.
If your child has an infection in one ear, it may be beneficial for them to sleep on the side with the unaffected ear. Whether the infection is in one or both ears, all children can benefit from keeping their heads elevated during sleep and throughout the day. An elevated position in which the ears are higher than the rest of the body helps fluid drain so the infection can heal.
Should You Take Your Child to See a Doctor or Let an Ear Infection Run Its Course?
Pairing watchful waiting with at-home remedies can definitely help an ear infection pass without incident. However, while most children will clear an ear infection and make a full recovery with no problem, the CDC estimates that a third of children will require more intervention from a pediatrician, often with a course of antibiotics. If your child is displaying any of the following, you should consult with a doctor as soon as possible:
- Hearing loss
- A fever of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Discharge from the ear that does not improve
- Severe pain in and around the ear, head, or neck
- Symptoms that do not improve after a couple of days of at-home remedies
Many pediatricians take a wait-and-see approach to antibiotic use to prevent unwanted side effects and antimicrobial resistance. However, if your child truly needs them to prevent further infection, the benefits of taking them usually outweigh the risks.
Help Your Child Get Well Soon With the Right Ear Infection Remedy
Ear infections can cause significant discomfort for your child. However, many of their symptoms can be relieved with effective at-home remedies like over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses, extra fluids, and plenty of rest in an elevated position. If your child has recently had a respiratory infection and is struggling to breathe, it’s also important that you treat the cold symptoms with saline sprays or drops and a humidifier.
If you find that your child is experiencing recurring ear infections, it may be time to check in with a pediatrician. A medical professional will be able to point out lifestyle adjustments that may help or even recommend surgical remedies. By partnering with the right pediatrician, you can ensure your child stays happy and healthy.