Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Does your child have drainage from the ear that you do not think is earwax?
See significance of drainage from the ear if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Note:
- If you think your child's eardrum may be ruptured, do not insert eardrops or anything else into the ear canal.
- If your child has ear tubes in place and drainage from an ear, call your doctor. This drainage may be fluid from the middle ear caused by pressure on the eustachian tubes from an upper respiratory infection. Drainage may also be the first sign of an infection.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your baby younger than age 3 months have any drainage from the ear?
Yes Does your child age 3 months or older have unexplained bleeding from the ear?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Does your child age 3 months or older have drainage from the ear that looks like pus or fluid that is white, yellow, or bloody?
You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Has your child had minimal bleeding for 24 hours or longer from a scratch or from cleaning the ear?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| 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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