The NHS is urging parents to follow important guidelines when their child suffers from an earache. While ear pain is common and typically not severe, it can be very painful and distressing for children. To avoid making the condition worse, the NHS highlights three key actions parents should avoid and recommends when to seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor.
In a recent post on X, the NHS explained: “If your child is struggling with earache, your local pharmacist could help. Pharmacists can provide advice, offer treatments, and direct you to further medical help if needed.”
Earaches in children often result from infections, and though they generally improve on their own, managing symptoms carefully is essential. One common mistake is using cotton buds or other objects to clean the child’s ears. The NHS strongly advises against this because it can push wax deeper, cause injury, or worsen the pain.
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Additionally, parents should avoid trying to remove earwax by other means or letting water enter the ear canal, as this could aggravate symptoms. Instead, administering age-appropriate painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help ease the discomfort safely.
The NHS recommends seeking medical attention if symptoms persist beyond two to three days, or if the child develops other warning signs such as a high fever or fluid leaking from the ear. Since younger children may not clearly express ear pain, parents should watch for signs like pulling at the ear, irritability, difficulty sleeping, or trouble hearing.
Parents are advised never to self-diagnose but to consult a GP, especially when the earache is accompanied by concerning symptoms or if the child has other health issues.
To summarize, when managing a child’s earache, parents should avoid:
- Inserting cotton buds or objects into the ear
- Attempting to remove earwax forcefully
- Allowing water to enter the ear canal
Using appropriate pain relief and seeking professional advice when needed is the best approach to ensure the child’s comfort and health.