Ear pain is one of the leading reasons for nighttime emergency visits in children. The most common cause is a middle ear infection; however, not all ear pain originates from the ear.

Causes

  • Middle ear infection (most common; usually follows a cold)
  • External ear canal infection ("swimmer's ear"; pain increases when the ear is pulled)
  • Eustachian tube blockage and pressure changes (air travel, high altitude)
  • Referred pain from teething, the jaw joint, and throat infections
  • A foreign object lodged in the ear

First Steps at Home

  • Giving a pain reliever/fever reducer at the dose recommended by your doctor brings relief at night
  • Keeping the head slightly elevated reduces pressure
  • Do not plug the ear with cotton, do not instill drops, and do not apply heat — if the eardrum is perforated, this can cause harm

When Is It an Emergency?

  • Swelling and redness behind the ear with the ear pushed forward (suspected mastoiditis)
  • High fever together with a stiff neck, vomiting, or altered consciousness
  • Bloody/purulent discharge from the ear
  • Suspected ear pain in an infant younger than 6 months

📅 Book an online appointment for your child: Specialist Dr. Hasan Keleş — appointment page

Related articles: Middle ear infection · High fever

This article is for general information purposes only; it is not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment. For any concerns about your child's health, be sure to consult a pediatric health and diseases specialist.

Uzm. Dr. Hasan Keleş — Specialist in Pediatric Health and Diseases, Gaziantep