Symptoms and Diseases
What you need to know
Constipation in children
Acute diarrhea in children over 3 years of age
Pain in children
Ear pain and otitis in children
Red baby bottom or diaper rash
Childhood fever
Sore throat and angina in children
Motion sickness in children
Children's tummy aches
Teething
Lice and nits in children
Regurgitation and vomiting in infants
Rhinopharyngitis in children
Childhood cough
Ear Pain and Otitis in Children Your child frequently rubs their ear, cries a lot, and seems unwell? If they are old enough to speak, they may complain of ear pain. It could be otitis, a common complication of rhinopharyngitis (see Rhinopharyngitis in Children). Attention: Any ear pain in a child requires prompt medical consultation. What You Need to Know Otitis is an ear infection caused by bacteria or a virus. It occurs in two main forms: - External otitis: Infection limited to the skin of the external auditory canal. The child has pain when the ear is pulled, but no fever. - Middle ear otitis: Infection in the cavity behind the eardrum, with possible pus accumulation. The child usually has a fever. Otitis is often accompanied by stomach aches, diarrhea, fever, or even temporary hearing loss. Absolute Forbids - No self-medication: Consult a doctor immediately if: - Fever > 38°C. - Known eardrum perforation. - Persistent pain for 48 hours without improvement. - Discharge of fluid from the ear. Never insert anything into the ear (neither in children nor adults)! In the case of a perforated eardrum (only a doctor can diagnose it), this can cause permanent deafness. Good Practices - Prevention: To avoid rhinopharyngitis (often the origin of otitis), teach your child to blow their nose properly: one nostril at a time into a tissue, then throw the tissue away. - Temporary relief: While waiting for the doctor, administer a paracetamol-based painkiller (children's formulations only, with doses strictly followed according to the package instructions). Medications In self-medication, only paracetamol is authorized as a painkiller (see Pain in Children). Absolutely avoid ear drops (with anesthetics or vasoconstrictors) without medical advice: They can cause serious complications, including permanent deafness.