Ear aches

Published

Specializes in Certified School Nurse.

Sooo....do people not use hydrogen peroxide to rinse out ears anymore? I don't know how much it actually does, but it usually appeases my "ear aches."

If not, what do you recommend? Assuming no fever.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

A heat pack usually eases pain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No peroxide here. I use Ear-Ease, it's a plastic container that you fill with warm water and the kid holds it over their ear-it's a miracle cure. When my allergies act up, I get pressure in my ear and the Ear-Ease actually helps! No fever and no overt tenderness to a gentle tug on the ear gets Ear-Ease and return when it's no longer warm for a check in. I'd say 90% of the time, the complaint is gone by that time. If it persists, I'll call home. Obviously, if they are in distress or have a fever or tenderness, they get picked up. Next to "my stomach hurts", earaches are my most frequent illness complaint.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't use peroxide either. I use the Ear-Ease - helps most of the time. I will give a parent a call just to let them know their kid is complaining about an earache in case they need to make a doctors appt to have it checked or request a dose of tylenol or motrin to help the kid get thru the day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Besides the Ear-ease, what DIY ideas for a heat pak? I don't have any funds for fancy stuff. I have a few washcloths that I microwave, put in a baggie and let them use. Any better ideas?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
A heat pack usually eases pain.

Same. I have small reusable ones I order that are the perfect size for ears.

I will take a look with my otoscope if it is ear pain vs. ear ache. Like student is clearly very uncomfortable, typically one-sided, and reports something like ear is "throbbing inside." I've seen suspected ear infections without fever - not often in the older kids, but I do see 'em.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i usually just check for redness. if yes, call home to advise parent. Pick up is at discretion of parent. For comfort sometimes i will make a little warm pack out of a wet paper towels run under hot water and placed in a glove.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I like the Ear Ease thing. You guys sound like a commercial.

I don't see too many earaches for Gr. 7-12, but when I was a kid I was overrun with them. I lived on Dimetapp and PCN. No fevers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.
Same. I have small reusable ones I order that are the perfect size for ears.

I will take a look with my otoscope if it is ear pain vs. ear ache. Like student is clearly very uncomfortable, typically one-sided, and reports something like ear is "throbbing inside." I've seen suspected ear infections without fever - not often in the older kids, but I do see 'em.

So jealous you have an otoscope!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Just got a complaint. I have homemade heat packs of a cotton sock filled with a bag of rice. Microwave for 90 seconds and voila! pain relief.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
So jealous you have an otoscope!!

Oh, it isn't fancy. It is one of those $30 ones you can get on Amazon. I wouldn't use it to diagnose (which we can't anyway, scope of practice and all), but it can give me a nice view to see if the ear is inflamed enough to recommend a doctor's appointment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I too use the Ear-ease, they seem to work wonders! I've even used it for myself in the past. I have 4 of them currently. They are about 15 dollars each. I added an extra one to my budget the past two years.

LOVE them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion