Aside from regular wellness checkups, ear infections (acute otitis media) are the most common reason parents bring a child to the pediatrician. It is estimated that pediatricians diagnose about 15 million ear infections a year in the US.
Ear infections can affect children of any age, babies, toddlers, school-age children, or teens. "Anyone can get an ear infection," says Cara G. Lye, MD, FAAP, Pediatrics at ARC Bee Cave. "But they're more common in children, especially kids under two years old. Their ear anatomy and still-developing immune systems make them especially vulnerable to infections."
The good news is that most ear infections resolve on their own within a few days. More severe cases may need medical treatment to prevent complications such as ongoing pain or difficulty hearing. In some cases, a child's physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) may also recommend seeing an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist or audiologist for further evaluation.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Pain, pressure, or burning in the ear
- Muffled hearing or partial, temporary hearing loss
- Yellow, white, or blood-tinged fluid draining from the ear, which may signal a ruptured eardrum
- Fever, dizziness, headache, or a general feeling of being unwell
In infants and toddlers, these symptoms might be hard to ascertain. Other non-verbal symptoms in young children to watch for are:
- Unexplained fussiness or irritability
- Tugging, pulling, or rubbing at the ears
- Trouble sleeping and crying more than usual
- Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
- Diarrhea or vomiting
When should children see a doctor for an ear infection?
Many parents wonder how long ear infections last and whether they will clear up on their own. While most mild ear infections improve within a few days, others require medical care and treatment.
A child should see a doctor if they have:
- Moderate to severe ear pain
- High temperature
- Discharge coming from the ear
- Tugging or pulling at the ear
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty hearing
- Ongoing itching or irritation
- Symptoms that last more than a couple of days
- Repeated ear infections over time
Parents should also contact a pediatrician if symptoms suddenly worsen or if a child seems very ill.
How are ear infections treated?
The right treatment depends on the child's age, symptoms, and the type of ear infection. Some infections may improve with rest and care at home, while others may require antibiotics.
Your pediatrician or APC may recommend:
- Monitoring symptoms for a short time to see if they resolve
- Antibiotics if the infection is bacterial
- Over-the-counter pain relievers to help with discomfort or fever
- Warm compresses to ease ear pain
- Fluids and rest
Working together to support your child's ear health
If ear infections happen often or if a child has ongoing difficulty hearing, your ARC Pediatrician or APC may refer your family to an ARC Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) specialist. An ENT can look for problems such as fluid trapped behind the eardrum or enlarged adenoids.
In severe cases, an ENT specialist may recommend ear tubes to help drain fluid and equalize pressure in the middle ear.
Your physician may recommend ear tubes if your child has:
- Hearing loss due to fluid build-up
- More than three ear infections in six months or more than four ear infections in a year
ARC ENT surgeons perform procedures close to home, including the ARC Surgery Center and other local hospitals.
"Ear tubes are recommended for children who struggle with frequent ear infections or persistent fluid in the ears," says Palak B. Patel, MD, ENT at ARC Greenlawn Specialty in Round Rock. "This simple procedure can provide much needed relief, support language development, and help children thrive."
You may also be referred to an ARC Audiology specialist to test your child's hearing, especially if infections are frequent or seem to affect speech, learning, or communication.
About ARC Pediatrics
At ARC Pediatrics, our pediatricians and advanced practice clinicians (APCs) treat all issues affecting infants, children, and adolescents. This can include treating minor illnesses and ongoing health issues, talking to parents about school or behavioral problems, seeing kids for well-child checkups, and administering childhood vaccinations and immunizations.
For more specialized care, ARC specialists in allergy and asthma, audiology, dermatology, ENT (ear, nose & throat), orthopedics, podiatry, and sports and musculoskeletal medicine care for infants and children of various ages. Pediatric and specialty care teams work closely with each other and with our families to coordinate care. Together, we emphasize prevention, evidence-based treatment, and building long-term relationships.
New to ARC? Sign up for an ARC Pediatric Meet & Greet to help you choose the physician or APC who will partner with you and support the growth and development of your child.
Call today to schedule an appointment
Dr. Lye is accepting new patients, from newborns to 18 years of age. To make an appointment with Dr. Lye book online or in ARC MyChart.