If you suspect your child has an ear ache after hours, it’s difficult to know what to do. You want to make sure your child gets the care they need, but you also don’t want to overreact. When is it time to get medical attention?
Read on to learn the signs that you should seek urgent care for your child’s ear ache!
A High Temperature? It’s Time for Urgent Care
When your child tells you that their ear hurts, start by taking their temperature. If the number is above 103 degrees, then your child has a severe fever — and it’s time to seek medical attention.
You may notice that your child is sweating or irritable, too. And on top of that, they may be dehydrated from the loss of fluids. Head to urgent care before things get any worse.
How Do Your Child’s Ears Look?
Take a moment to examine your child’s ears. Look for physical changes that indicate that there is a problem. These include any sort of discharge, redness, or swelling.
The discharge could indicate a viral infection associated with an inner ear ache, but it’s always best to check with medical professionals to determine the true cause.
Seek Help for an Ear Ache that Causes Terrible Pain
You’ll want to assess the severity of pain associated with your child’s ear ache. Home remedies for ear aches, such as heating pads or neck exercises, can help. But if they’re not having an impact, it’s time to take action.
Your child may tug at their ear or show greater signs of distress than normal. Knowing what to do for an ear ache means gauging your child’s behavior. When your child seems unusually distraught, you should head to urgent care.
Consider Other Health Issues Your Child Has Had
While ear aches can show up without any prior health problems, sometimes they happen on account of recent health concerns. Take the time to review health issues your child has had the past few weeks.
Did they experience head trauma, such as an injury on the playground? Or have they suffered through respiratory illnesses? These issues could be related to their ear ache, and you’ll want to mention them to your medical professional.
Track How Long the Symptoms Last
Has your child been experiencing neck pain for more than one day? If so, that’s a sign that you should consider heading to urgent care.
And ask your child if they’re able to hear things clearly. If they indicate that their hearing has worsened, or you’ve observed that they don’t react as quickly as usual, get medical attention.
Get Your Child the Care They Need
An ear ache can be a painful and disruptive experience for your child, but if you stay calm and follow these steps, you can determine what to do after hours. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you have concerns about your child’s health.
When you’re wondering if your child needs urgent care, contact us and we can help!