Ear Problems And Injuries, Age 11 And Younger: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Does your child have redness, swelling, or pain in the external ear or behind the ear?

See significance of redness, swelling, or pain in the external ear or behind 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.

Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Does your child have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with his or her immune system?

Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your child have redness, swelling, or pain around or behind the ear?

Yes

Is most of the outside of your child's ear (external ear) red or swollen?

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 some redness or mild swelling on part of the outside of his or her ear (external ear) for 24 hours or longer?

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.

Last updated:	February 13, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer