[thelms]

DS (3.5yo) stuck a cotton tip in his ear tonight and screamed out in pain. The tip had a fair bit of wax on it and then his ear started to bleed. It was definitely more than a few drops of blood but I wouldn't say it was a huge amount. I gave him some nurofen before bed as he was complaining of pain and was also quite freaked out.

He has been asleep for almost 2 hours now (he does seem a little restless) but I'm now wondering if I should of taken him to the doctor or children's hospital?

My plan is to take him to the doctor first thing tomorrow morning to have it checked and if he wakes overnight and won't settle then I'll take him to hospital.

WDYT? Has anyone else had this happen before? My main concern would be any hearing loss.

[Chelli]

Hi,
I would call the medical assistance line and ask them as someone qualified to answer your question will be able to respond.

I hope it's nothing serious.

ETA, a link that may help

http://www.healthdirect.org.au/

[lsolaBella]

DD has had her eardrum burst both at 6m and 3yrs. Both were silent ear infections (3yo one she said her ear hurt as going to bed, no fever. Woke up upset at 2am came into our bed and noticed clear fluid discharge from her ear). Dr checked the following morning. Burst ear drum. She has not seemed to have any hearing troubles (coming from mum with DS2 having mild-moderate hearin loss identifird at 2.5yrs but not cleared until over 4yrs).

[lucky 2]

Hi, I thought I'd add to the link posted by Chelli above, the one below has the contact details for 24 hr health lines covering all Australian States and Territories.
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/forums/ind...howtopic=896134

[sillysausage]

I could be wrong but I don't think the cotton tip would reach the ear drum, would it? Even so, it sounds like he may have done some damage.

Our first experience with perforated ear drums (only about 6 weeks ago) is very similar to Isoabella - 4yo went to bed vaguely unwell, had had a dose of panadol but couldn't really explain where he felt unwell. About 2am he was beside himself with ear pain - it was just awful it watch I had literally got off the phone from the doctors surgery at 8am when he said "my ear feels wet" - it was almost pouring with clear fluid - and the pain almost immediately stopped!

The GP couldn't say for sure whether it was a perforated ear drum as he couldn't see well enough with his instrument due to the amount of fluid. We happened to have a ENT appt the next day (!) who confirmed that the grommet put in 6 months earlier had already moved and it was indeed a perforation.

Now, only a few days before Christmas, my husband and I thought out 9 mo was only a little grizzly and his ear smelt (!). No temperature but we did pop him into the GP who confirmed a perforated ear drum. Later in the afternoon, a little bit of thickish fluid began to discharge. We actually suspect he has another ear infection and he is off to the GP again tomorrow morning

Perforated ear drum sounds terrible, and the pain must be awful, however since these two occurances with my boys I have spoken to quite afew other parents who have had expereince with perforated ear dum. My two main questions for the doctor tomorrow are: How do we prevent it (they don't go swimming), and I am too concerned about the risk of hearing loss if it continues - perhaps our little one is a candidate for grommets also?

[thelms]

I called the health direct line last night and they asked me to wake him so they could assess him and if I couldn't or didn't want to do that then I should take him to emergency. I woke him and he responded quite well so they were happy to say wait till the morning to see the GP.

GP said it looks like he has perforated it and has prescribed antibiotics to prevent an infection. He also has some ear drops. He said as long as he is not dizzy, vomiting, off balance, difficulty hearing then he isn't too concerned. I have to take him back monday to make sure it's healing well. No swimming etc for now. He doesn't appear to be in any pain today so fingers crossed it continues to heal.

[lsolaBella]

Fingers crossed too. As I said we have had it happen twice with ear infections without lasting damage. Dr calls them natures grommets.