Otitis Externa
Your child has been diagnosed with otitis externa, also known as an outer ear infection.
We know this can be a stressful time with lots of information from healthcare providers. It can be difficult to absorb everything.
We hope the following pages will be helpful in providing you with the education and resources you need to support your child from home.
What is acute otitis externa?
Acute otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear canal, from the ear drum to your outer ear.
Water that remains in the ear canal creates a moist environment that allows for bacteria to grow.
Click continue to learn more!
Other Resources: Nemours KidsHealth - Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) Mayo Clinic - Otitis Externa
Symptoms of Otitis Externa
The symptoms of acute otitis externa can include:
- fluid discharge from ear
- itching at ear canal
- redness to affected ear canal
- ear pain
- in younger children, tugging/pulling the ear
- hearing loss
What to do at home
Click below for information on ways to help at home.
Track your child's symptoms
Keep track of your child's symptoms and document details you feel are important. You may also want to keep track of any medications given and whether this helped.
Pain management
To help reduce fever, you can give your child acetaminophen
(Tylenol) and, if your child is older than 3 months,
ibuprofen (Advil), so long as your child does not have
allergies or other reasons not to take these medications.
Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, give the dose
recommended on the medication package.
Safe Acetaminophen Dosing for Infants and Children
Mount Sinai - Ibuprofen Dosing for Infants and
Children
Help your child stay hydrated
As with other illnesses, it is important to ensure your child remains well hydrated by offering fluids containing not only water but sugar and electrolytes (e.g., breastmilk or formula in infants, electrolyte drinks in older children) WebMD - Treating Dehydration in Children
Medical Therapy
If you have been seen by a medical professional, they may have treated your child with medications. Click below to learn more about these medications.
A. Antibiotics
Since acute otitis externa is commonly due to bacterial
infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ear drop
to be administered into the affected ear canal. Please
follow the instructions provided by the physician and on the
prescription.
Stop the antibiotics if you think your child is having an
allergic reaction, with symptoms such as rash, wheezing and
shortness of breath, diarrhea or vomiting. Otherwise,
complete the full course of antibiotics and do not stop them
just because your child is feeling better.
B. Ear Wick
Sometimes an ear wick, a small piece of foam, is inserted to help keep the swollen ear canal open and direct the antibiotics inside.
When to seek medical attention
Here are some signs that, if present, should lead you to seek immediate medical attention for your child:
- fever
- no improvement or worsening symptoms after 2 days of using antibiotics
- new or worsening pain
- swelling or pain behind the ear
- swelling around the face
- headache
- excessively sleepy, lethargic or not responsive child
Follow Up
Please follow up with your primary care provider unless instructed otherwise. Of course, if you feel your child needs immediate medical attention, please do not hesitate to call 911 or bring them to your closest emergency department.
We hope this has been useful. Thank you for using Paediatrics@home!