Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

If your child has any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• An ear problem after a head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.

Yes	Has your child had an injury to the ear?
Yes	Does your child have drainage from the ear that you do not think is earwax?
Yes	Does your child have ear pain with a fever?
Yes	Do you think your child has ear pain? See evaluating pain in a child.
Yes	Does your child have redness, swelling, or pain in the external ear or behind the ear?
Yes	Is your child taking an antibiotic for an ear infection without an improvement in symptoms, or have new symptoms developed?
Yes	Do you think your child may have a hearing problem?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Does your child have the following symptom?

• A cut: Go to the topic Cuts.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 13, 2008
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
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