Perforated Eardrum in Children: Care Instructions
Overview
A tear or hole in the membrane of the middle ear is called a perforated or ruptured eardrum. This can happen
if an infection builds up inside the ear or if the eardrum gets injured. Your child may find it hard to hear
out of that ear or may hear a buzzing sound. Other symptoms may include an earache or fluid draining from the
ear.
The eardrum should heal on its own in a few weeks, and your child should hear normally then. If your child
has an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Pain relief medicine may be needed for the earache.
Your doctor will check to see if the eardrum has healed. If not, your child may need surgery to repair the
eardrum.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all
appointments, and call your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your
child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
How can you care for your child at home?
-
If the doctor prescribed antibiotics for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just
because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
-
Give your child an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin) as needed. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
-
To ease pain, put a warm washcloth on your child's ear. There may be some drainage from the ear.
-
Ask your doctor if you should give your child oral or nasal decongestants to relieve ear pain. These may
help if a cold is causing fluid behind the eardrum. (Do not use products that have antihistamines in them,
because these can cause more blockage.)
-
Do not give decongestants to a child younger than 2 unless your child's doctor has told you to. If
the doctor tells you to give a medicine, be sure to follow what your doctor tells you to do.
-
Be careful when giving over-the-counter cold or flu medicines and Tylenol at the same time. Many of these
medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Read the labels to make sure that you are not giving your
child more than the recommended dose. Too much Tylenol can be harmful.
-
Keep your child's ears dry. Do not let your child swim or shower until your doctor says it's okay.
-
Do not put anything into your child's ear canal. For example, do not use a cotton swab to clean the inside
of the ear. It can damage the ear. If you think something is inside your child's ear, ask your doctor to
check it.
When should you call for help?
Call your
doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
Current as of: September 27, 2023
Content Version: 14.0
Care instructions adapted under license by your
healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask
your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of
this information.