Other than an antibiotic, what can I give my son for swimmer's ear?

Question

sheesh, it ten to 1 Am and I really don't want to go to ER
1 ear "stings" the other is painful...suggestions?

Answer 1

The pain is probably the early stages of otitis externa, but it's not an emergency. You can buy swimear at the pharmacy and start that (DON'T PUT STRAIGHT RUBBING ALCOHOL IN HIS EAR). You can give some tylenol (dose by what's on the bottle) either chidren's elixir or the chewables will be fine.

You can call your pediatrician's office tomorrow and ask for some prescription antibiotic drops to start and then schedule for him to be seen early next week.

If he develops fevers or starts to have pus draining out of the ear, he should be seen sooner or even in the ER. But for now, he doesn't need to go to the ER. No mineral/olive oil, either, he needs to reduce moisture without over-drying the ears, so oil is too moist and alcohol is too drying.

No Betadine, either, as this is ototoxic (kills nerve cells) and could cause deafness if he has a hole in his eardrum. It is also very irritating to the ear canal skin.

Also, keep him out of the pool/bath/lake/stream/ocean until his symptoms have completely resolved and he's seen a doctor.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

An outer ear infection usually occurs after swimming
If you pull on the ear lobe it causes pain.
there is no hearing loss so you can compare hearing in both ears by rubbing your fingers together beside each ear and comparing them. . If he can hear a ticking watch with the painful ear then it is probably an outer ear infection.
an outer ear infection can be treated with Polysporin ear drops over the counter so you don't have to pay a doctors visit or prescription fee.

A middle ear infection needs oral antibiotics.
It is usually preceded by a cold or stuffy nose
hearing is decreased in that ear and pulling on the ear lobe does not cause pain
Advil/Tylenol and blowing on the ear with a hairdryer set on low helps the pain of an outer ear infection
the pain of a middle ear infection may settle on it's own in two days but the child will still have decreased hearing in that ear. and needs to be seen by a doctor

Answer 3

Try some vinegar diluted in water. A couple of drops in the ear should help. Also a hot pack will help ease the pain as well as some Tylenol or Advil. If he is still in pain tomorrow morning, take him to the ER.

Answer 4

I was prone to swimmers ear when I was younger. My mom had me lay on my side with the hurting ear up. She dropped a few drops of rubbing alcohol in my ear and I just layed there for a bit. It helps dry it up and reduces the risk of any bacteria.
Good luck!

Answer 5

If you have any sweet oil in the house you could put a few drops in the effected ear but even though it is late the ER would be best. Most people don't keep sweet oil on hand. I feel sorry for your son, earaches hurt bad sometimes. Best of luck.

Answer 6

betadine in the ear to dry up and disinfect the ear canal. make sure he wears ear plugs in the shower and when swimming from now on. once kids get swimmers ear once, they seem to get it all the time. your son will need antibiotics also. never mess around with ear infections (which is what swimmers ear is) as this can be very dangerous.

Answer 7

If you have some ear drops around they will help eventually the other thing to try is a hot compress. Just hot water on a face cloth will do. It might bring some relief;

Answer 8

Try placing a drop of alcohol in the affected ear. This will not hurt him. It may be able to dry up some of the water trapped inside.

Answer 9

Put a couple drops of either WARM mineral oil or WARM olive oil in the affected ear and then put a cotton ball in the same ear. Ask him how he feels in the morning.

Good luck!

Answer 10

wrap an onion in foil, and bake it like a potato, about an hour. Cut it 1/2 and wrap with a light cloth (cheese cloth) have him lay his head on it so that the fumes will rise into the ear channel, this will drain it.
Blessed Be....