A child repeatedly pulls, tugs, pokes or itches the outer ear or ear canal
Most younger children (under age 2 or 3) who pull or poke at the ear are unable to confirm or deny the presence of an earache. In a recent study, only 5% of these children had an underlying ear infection.
Main Cause (infants): normal touching and pulling with discovery of ears.
Main Cause (older children): mild swimmer's ear from: (1) water accumulation during swimming or showers, (2) soap or shampoo retention, or (3) canal irritation from cotton-tipped swabs.
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If
You think your child needs to be seen
Seems to be in pain or crying without an obvious reason
Recent onset of awakening from sleep
Fever or symptoms of a cold are present
Drainage from the ear canal
Constant digging inside 1 ear canal
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
You have other questions or concerns
Parent Care at Home
Normal ear touching or pulling
Itchy ear canal
Home Care Advice for Itchy Ear Canal
Habit: If touching the ear is a new habit, ignore it (prevent doing it for attention).
White Vinegar Eardrops: Use 1/2 strength white vinegar by diluting it with equal parts water. Place 2 drops in each ear canal daily for three days. (Reason: restore the normal acid pH) (Exception: ear drainage, ear tubes or hole in eardrum)
Avoid Soap: Keep soap and shampoo out of the ear canal.
Avoid Cotton Swabs: Cotton swabs remove the earwax that normally protects the lining of the ear canal, and this leads to itching and irritation.
Expected Course: With this treatment, most itching is gone in 2 or 3 days.
Call Your Doctor If
Pulling at the ear continues > 3 days
Itching continues > 1 week
Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms
