Do you have ear pain at home? Don’t write him off as whiny and whiny. Is there a fever along with it? Uh-oh! A doctor may need to check for an infection caused by viruses or bacteria. It may need to be treated with some prescription medication to help it run its course.

No fever? That’s good news, but it doesn’t do much for pain control; therefore, warm compresses and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are the solution.

What did my doctor tell me about my son’s recent ear “pain”? With no infection present, however, he said he should keep an eye on the situation in case it worsens.

His remedy? Tylenol or generic equivalent and heat. It’s not a heating pad! You don’t want to roast your child’s face and brain. A good hot towel or sock filled with uncooked dry rice (you can microwave the rice filled sock for several minutes to warm it up).

Don’t be surprised if your doctor checks your throat or swabs your throat when checking for earache symptoms. Often times, a throat infection can spread to the areas around the ears. It’s good to check this while you’re in the office. That will be up to you based on what you see in and around the ears, tonsils, and uvula.

It doesn’t matter if there is an infection or just an irritation of the ears, the best medicine is heat and over-the-counter pain relievers, and waiting time.