Q: My 5-year-old is suddenly crying from ear pain after a cold. Can I give her a pain reliever?
- Myeongchan Kim, MD
- Aug 31
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD
Content edited by Myeongchan Kim, MD
This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
Question:
My 5-year-old daughter is suddenly crying because her ear hurts. She has been taking cold medicine and her cold symptoms had actually improved a lot, but now she is complaining of sudden ear pain. She says it's the outer part of the ear, but seeing how she presses her ear against my chest, I suspect the pain is actually coming from inside. Since she is crying so much from the pain, is it okay to give her an over-the-counter fever reducer/pain reliever?
Answer:
It must be very startling to see your child suddenly experience severe ear pain just as her cold was improving.
Immediate Actions You Can Take:
• You can absolutely give her a pain reliever (such as acetaminophen/Tylenol or ibuprofen). This is safe and will help alleviate her pain.
• Have her lie down with the painful ear facing up, or keep her upper body slightly elevated.
• Applying a warm, damp washcloth to the outside of her ear may also help soothe the discomfort.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care Today:
Please take her to see a doctor right away if you notice any of the following:
• A high fever (38.5°C / 101.3°F or higher) returns or persists.
• You see fluid, discharge, or pus draining from her ear.
• She continues to cry inconsolably and cannot be settled even after the pain medicine has had time to work.
• She develops a stiff neck or becomes severely lethargic or irritable.
Additional Context:
It is very common for children to develop otitis media (a middle ear infection) following a cold. Even if a young child says their "outer ear" hurts, the pain is often actually originating from inflammation behind the eardrum.
If the pain reliever makes her comfortable and there is no high fever or ear discharge, it is generally fine to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for tomorrow. However, if any of the warning signs mentioned above appear, please have her evaluated by a doctor today to ensure she gets the proper treatment.
For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.
