Ear infections in children are one of the most common—and frustrating—childhood illnesses. If your toddler is pulling at their ear or your baby won’t sleep, you’re not alone.
Almost every parent has been in the ear infection trenches with their kids. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ear infections are the most frequently diagnosed illness in children in the U.S., second only to the common cold. By age three, five of every six kids will have had at least one ear infection.
And some kids get more ear infections than others (like a lot more). A UCLA Health study found that 4.6 million kids had more than three infections in a year.
So if you feel like your child has been personally targeted by the Ear Infection Fairy, you’re not alone. This is one of those childhood rites of passage—like diaper blowouts and spaghetti in the hair—that pretty much every parent faces.
In this article, we’ll cover the signs, causes, and best treatments for ear infections in kids—plus when to worry and what parents can do to prevent chronic issues.
Types of Ear Infections in Children
The ear is surprisingly complicated. It has three zones, and each can develop a different type of infection.
Outer Ear Infection (Swimmer’s Ear)
The outer ear is like a funnel that moves sound toward the eardrum. Outer ear infections (aka swimmer's ear) happen when moisture or bacteria get into the ear canal, making it irritated and itchy.
Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
The middle ear has the eardrum and three small bones that help amplify sounds. Middle ear infections can be very painful for kids because the inflammation and fluid buildup presses right on the eardrum. Middle ear infections are what we commonly think of when little kids get an ear infection and may or may not need antibiotics.
Inner Ear Infection (Labyrinthitis)
The inner ear nerves send sound wave info to the brain and help with balance. Inner ear infections are quite rare, but they can be very scary for parents because of symptoms like a loss of balance or hearing.
As a parent, there will always be some worry, but you can take some stress out of the equation by understanding ear infections in kids, the symptoms, and when it's time to dial the doc.
How Common Are Ear Infections in Kids?
The short answer? Really common. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ear infections are the number one reason for pediatric antibiotic prescriptions.
Here is a breakdown of ear infections in kids by the numbers.
That’s a lot of antibiotics, sleepless nights, and doctor visits. And it’s exactly why knowing when to treat (and when to wait) can make a huge difference for your kid—and your sanity.
Ear Infection Symptoms by Type
Ear pain is a neon advertisement for an ear infection, but it's not the only thing to look out for. Ear infections wreak other kinds of havoc.
Here’s a breakdown of symptoms by ear infection type.
Signs of Outer Ear Infections
As discussed above, outer ear infections usually happen after water gets trapped in the ear canal—hence the nickname “swimmer’s ear.” If your kid’s been splashing around a lot and starts complaining of ear pain, this could be the culprit. Here are the classic signs:
- Ear pain—especially when touched. The biggest giveaway? If your child winces or pulls away when you touch their outer ear or tug the earlobe gently.
- Itchy ear canal. They might be constantly scratching at their ear or complaining that it “feels weird” or “tickly.”
- Drainage from the ear. You might notice clear, yellow, or even pus-like fluid coming from the ear canal—especially after swimming or bathing.
- Muffled hearing or a feeling of “fullness”. Your kid might say their ear feels “plugged” or that they can’t hear well from one side.
- Mild fever (sometimes). Not always present, but a low-grade fever can show up with more severe cases.
- Swelling or redness of the outer ear. The ear canal and even the area around the ear might look red, swollen, or tender.
- Foul-smelling discharge. If it smells off, it could be a sign the infection is getting worse.
- Fussiness, especially after water exposure. For littles who can’t explain pain, irritability after baths or swim time can be a clue.
Signs of Middle Ear Infections
If your little one is cranky, clingy, and won’t stop pulling at their ear—there’s a decent chance you’re dealing with a middle ear infection. Add these symptoms to your checklist.
- Ear tugging or pulling. Classic sign in babies and toddlers who can’t say, “My ear hurts.”
- Irritability or fussiness. They’re cranky and clingy, especially when lying down.
- Fever. Often low-grade, but sometimes spikes up (especially in younger kids).
- Trouble sleeping. Lying down can increase pressure in the ear, making it more painful.
- Hearing problems. They might not respond to their name or seem like they're ignoring you (but not in the usual toddler way).
- Balance issues. The inner ear helps with balance, so that infection can throw things off.
- Fluid draining from the ear. If the eardrum bursts, you might see yellow or white discharge.
- Loss of appetite. Chewing or swallowing can increase ear pressure and discomfort.
- Delayed speech (with repeated infections). Frequent ear infections can affect hearing, which in turn impacts speech development.
Signs of Inner Ear Infections
Inner ear infections are less common in kids than middle ear infections, but they come with a very different set of symptoms—mostly affecting balance and coordination. If your kid’s stumbling like they just spun in circles for fun, their inner ear might be the culprit. Look for these signs:
- Dizziness or vertigo. They may say something like, “the room feels like it’s spinning”.
- Balance problems. You notice them stumbling, falling over, unsteady walking, or clumsiness more than usual.
- Nausea or vomiting. Especially if the nausea or vomiting is tied to motion or standing up.
- Hearing loss. Hearing loss can come on suddenly or more gradually.
- Ringing in the ears. aka tinnitus.
- Trouble focusing or increased irritability. This is often due to the disorienting symptoms.
If your kid is showing any of the above symptoms, it’s a good idea to contact your pediatrician to get it checked out.
Why Do Kids Get So Many Ear Infections?
If you’re wondering, “What causes ear infections in kids?” and “Why does my child keep getting ear infections?” There are two reasons: the shape of children's ears and their underdeveloped immune systems.
Understanding Children’s Ear Anatomy
Eustachian tubes are a tunnel between the ear and the throat. They are flatter and narrower in kids, setting the stage for viruses and bacteria to get trapped there.
Dr. Mona, the pediatric expert at Poppins, explains: "Some children are prone to more ear infections than others due to the way their head and ears are shaped. If your child has smaller, more horizontal ear canals, they’re more likely to develop fluid after a cold, which can mean an ear infection follows."
Immune System and Frequent Infections
One big reason kids get ear infections so often is that their immune systems are still developing.
Young kids are constantly exposed to new viruses at daycare, preschool, or during playdates — and every runny nose or cough can cause congestion that blocks the Eustachian tubes. This trapped fluid becomes the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, turning a simple cold into a middle ear infection overnight.
So while those back-to-back sniffles feel exhausting for parents, they’re also the main driver behind frequent ear infections in toddlers and young children.
Allergies and Other Risk Factors
Seasonal allergies, indoor allergens like dust or pet dander, and even exposure to cigarette smoke can all increase a child’s risk of ear infections. That’s because these irritants cause nasal congestion and swelling, which can block the Eustachian tubes and lead to fluid buildup behind the eardrum—a setup bacteria love. Kids with untreated allergies often experience chronic ear infections or fluid that won’t clear up on its own.
Other risk factors include bottle feeding while lying flat, attending large group childcare, and a family history of ear problems. Knowing your child’s triggers can help you manage them and reduce the risk of recurring ear infections.
How to Treat Ear Infections in Kids
When your child is in pain, it’s natural to wonder how to make an ear infection go away fast — and whether antibiotics are really necessary every time.
The good news? Many ear infections in kids clear up on their own with a little comfort care, while others do need medication to prevent complications. Knowing when to treat, when to wait, and what works at home can help you manage your child’s ear pain with more confidence — and fewer sleepless nights.
When Antibiotics Are Needed
What draws out an ear infection? Most parents are tempted to rush to the most common baby and toddler ear infection treatment: antibiotics.
That's understandable: it's a safe bet. If there's anything serious, the medication will take care of it.
But don’t be in a rush to jump to antibiotics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that antibiotics may not always be necessary for children over age two with non-severe ear infections. These infections will often go away on their own. And, using antibiotics when they aren't needed can lead to antibiotic resistance. This could cause a nightmare scenario where the medications won't work when your kid really needs them.
Instead of asking how you get rid of an ear infection ASAP, consider adopting a wait-and-see approach before using antibiotics.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
Of course, you still have to do something while you watch for worrying symptoms.
Over-the-counter medications like children's Tylenol or child’s Ibuprofen can help to address ear pain while the infection resolves. These medications can also help with the inflammation that occurs with ear infections.
While pain relievers can take the edge off, pairing them with simple, gentle home remedies for ear infections can help keep your child more comfortable while they heal.
Home Remedies for Ear Pain in Children
Home remedies can also help. In fact, your grandma's old remedies are still reliable.
Here are some natural remedies for ear infections in kids you can safely use alongside pain relievers:
- A warm compress held over the affected ear for 10–15 minutes can ease discomfort and help relieve pressure.
- Keeping your child hydrated and encouraging rest helps their body fight off infection more quickly.
- For older children, sleeping with their head slightly elevated may reduce fluid buildup and pain at night.
While these natural ways to soothe ear pain can’t replace medical treatment when it’s needed, they can provide comforting relief while your child’s immune system does its job.
Recurring Ear Infections: Why They Happen and What to Do
If you’re wondering, "Why does my child keep getting ear infections?” and “How do I stop recurring ear infections?" Your child might be one of the more than 4 million kids who suffer from recurring ear infections each year.
What Causes Recurring Ear Infections in Kids
The main reason for recurring ear infections in children is that their Eustachian tubes—the tiny passageways that drain fluid from the middle ear to the back of the throat—are still short, narrow, and more horizontal than in adults. This makes it easy for fluid and bacteria to get trapped after every cold or allergy flare-up.
Other common causes of chronic ear infections include:
- Frequent colds or upper respiratory infections, especially for kids in daycare or preschool.
- Allergies that cause ongoing nasal congestion and swelling.
- Enlarged adenoids, which can block normal fluid drainage.
- Exposure to secondhand smoke, which irritates the respiratory tract and Eustachian tubes.
- Bottle-feeding while lying flat, which can allow milk to enter the middle ear.
If your child has multiple ear infections each year, your pediatrician may recommend strategies to address these underlying causes—from managing allergies to considering ear tube placement if infections keep coming back despite your best prevention efforts.
When to Consider Ear Tubes
If your child has chronic ear infections—meaning three or more ear infections in six months, or fluid that sticks around for months at a time—your pediatrician may recommend ear tubes (also called tympanostomy tubes). These tiny tubes are placed in the eardrum to help ventilate the middle ear and drain trapped fluid, which reduces pressure, relieves pain, and lowers the risk of recurrent ear infections.
Ear tube surgery is a quick, common procedure done under brief anesthesia and can be life-changing for kids who constantly battle ear pain or temporary hearing loss from fluid buildup. If you’re wondering whether your child might benefit, talk to your pediatrician or ask for a referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist to discuss the pros and cons.
How to Prevent Ear Infections in Children
While you can’t shield your child from every sniffle or runny nose, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of ear infections, especially if your child is prone to them.
Good hygiene, the right vaccinations, and a few practical habits can go a long way toward helping you prevent ear infections in toddlers and older kids—and avoid the cycle of repeat doctor visits and sleepless nights.
Here’s what experts recommend.
Vaccinations and Good Hygiene
Good hygiene, like frequent hand washing, can help keep the germs that cause ear infections at bay.
Immunizations are also extremely important. Dr. Mona explains that parents should "keep up with vaccinations, especially things like pneumococcal vaccine and flu. Pneumococcal was the leading cause of ear infections, and since the pneumococcal vaccine was introduced, we don't see as many ear infections.”
Supporting a Strong Immune System
When they do catch the flu (which is inevitable), rest, hydration, and a nutrient-rich diet bring extra support to kids' immune systems. Like flu shots, these steps make the flu shorter so that the virus or bacteria has less time to make their home inside your kids' ears.
Finally, you can reduce congestion during colds or allergy attacks with saline nose drops, humidifiers, or over-the-counter medications.
Practical Tips for Parents
Looking for a quick summary? Here’s a hit list of Dr. Mona’s recommended preventive measures for children’s ear infections:
- Keep up with vaccinations, especially pneumococcal vaccine.
- Avoid bottle propping (propping a baby’s bottle up with an object to feed).
- Reduce exposure to cigarette smoke.
- Treat allergies if present.
- Frequent hand-washing.
With these steps, you can avoid those sleepless nights and the stress of seeing your kids dealing with ear pain.
Flying with an Ear Infection: What Parents Should Know
Ear pain in airplanes isn't just for kids. If you've been in the skies, you know that air pressure from altitude changes can really hurt your eardrums.
Your Eustachian tubes are eventually able to equalize this pressure after some popping and discomfort. But if they're clogged with fluid or mucus, they'll struggle to do the job.
There's no way around it: flying is painful for kids with ear infections.
Reconsider flying if your child has moderate or serious ear pain, fluid drainage, or a fever. Also, change your flights if you notice inner ear infection symptoms like dizziness or nausea.
When to See a Doctor for an Ear Infection
The biggest challenge for parents: while you don't want to start antibiotics at the first sign of an earache, you also don't want to wait too long to see a doctor. If symptoms don't improve in a few days or if the ear pain seems to be getting worse, don't hesitate to make that appointment.
Also, get to the clinic if your child has a high fever for more than a day or two, if you notice pus or fluid draining from the ear, or if your child has balance or hearing problems.
Can a Specialist Help?
If your child has recurring ear infections (more than three times per year) or ear pain that does not respond to treatment, it is time to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
They can help you find the cause of chronic infections and check for more serious issues that could cause hearing loss or permanent damage.
Parent FAQs About Ear Infections
If you’re losing sleep over your child’s ear pain, you’re far from alone. These common parent questions cover the basics and the big worries—from how long ear infections last to whether repeated infections can cause hearing problems.
Here’s what to know, when to wait, and when to call your pediatrician.
Can Kids Outgrow Ear Infections?
Yes—your kid can grow out of their ear infections as they age.
But frequent ear infections can cause your worst fears to come true: lasting hearing damage. If your kid's ears flood with fluid again and again, it can damage the eardrum and bones in the middle ear, causing permanent hearing loss.
That’s why it's important to keep your pediatrician in the loop on recurring ear infections and escalate your concerns to an ear, nose, and throat specialist as needed.
What Are Signs of a Serious Ear Infection in a Child?
While most ear infections in kids clear up with simple treatment and time, some warning signs mean it’s time to see a doctor. Red flags include:
- Severe ear pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Fever of 102.2°F or higher in a child older than 3 months or 100.4°F or higher in a child under 3 months.
- Pus, fluid or discharge coming from the ear, which can signal a ruptured eardrum.
- Sudden hearing loss or muffled hearing that doesn’t improve.
- Symptoms of middle ear infection (see above) that last more than 2-3 days.
If you see any of these, or if your gut says something feels “off,” trust your instincts—and call your child’s pediatrician for an evaluation.
How Long Do Ear Infections Last in Kids?
How long an ear infection lasts depends on which part of the ear is affected:
- Outer ear infections (swimmer’s ear) usually clear up within 7–10 days with proper treatment.
- Middle ear infections typically start to improve within 2–3 days, but fluid behind the eardrum can linger for up to 2 weeks.
- Inner ear infections can last a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on whether inflammation affects balance and hearing nerves.
Can Ear Infections Cause Hearing Loss in Children?
Yes—repeated ear infections or lingering fluid can temporarily muffle hearing. In most cases, once the infection and fluid clear, hearing returns to normal.
However, chronic ear infections in kids can sometimes cause scarring or damage to the eardrum or middle ear bones, which may lead to permanent hearing loss if untreated. That’s why it’s important to follow up if your child has frequent ear infections, delayed speech, or seems to struggle to hear you.
Are There Any Home Remedies For Ear Infections in Toddlers?
You can help manage ear pain in toddlers at home while their body fights off the infection naturally. Safe home remedies include:
- A warm compress gently held against the sore ear for 10–15 minutes.
- Age-appropriate pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (ask your pediatrician or Poppins medical team for dosing).
- Keeping your child hydrated—fluids help thin mucus and ease pressure.
- Elevating the head during sleep for older kids (never for babies).
- Avoid putting oils, garlic, or herbal drops in the ear unless your doctor specifically says it’s safe—some homemade ear drops can make things worse.
For ongoing or recurring ear infections, talk to your pediatrician about prevention strategies, like treating allergies or considering ear tubes.
Final Thoughts: Supporting Your Child Through Ear Infections
Ear infections are a part of childhood and can leave you stressing about when to get treatment and when to wait. You can get more peace of mind if you understand how to relieve ear pain and the signals of a bad infection that requires a trip to the doctor.
And whether it’s your child’s first ear infection or the fifth this year, having the right plan matters. With Poppins, you can text a pediatric expert anytime for guidance on ear pain, fevers, or recurring infections. Get peace of mind when you need it most.
