Outer ear infection - Children - Safety netting advice

When to seek further review

Contact the GP if ear pain is not improving within 2 to 3 days, or the prescribed drops are not helping.
Seek urgent advice sooner for worsening pain, fever, redness spreading around the ear, discharge or new hearing changes.
Severe persistent ear pain needs urgent assessment, especially with diabetes or weakened immune defences.
Keep the ear dry and do not put cotton buds or other objects inside. Follow the instructions for prescribed drops.
Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
Contact your GP when the surgery is open. If it is closed, you cannot get the help you need, or you are unsure what to do, call NHS 111. You can call even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are serious.

When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)

New facial drooping or weakness, particularly with speech changes or arm weakness.
Severe headache, a stiff neck, marked drowsiness or a seizure.
Rapidly spreading swelling with severe illness or collapse.
Severe difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in deeply under or between the ribs.
Being very difficult to wake or unresponsive.
Being unusually floppy, confused or not responding as usual.
Blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.

How to spot sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.

An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.

Adult sepsis signs: slurred speech or confusion; extreme shivering or muscle pain; no urine in a day; severe breathlessness; feeling extremely unwell; mottled or discoloured skin. — Adults

Child sepsis signs: very fast breathing; a fit or convulsion; mottled, bluish or pale skin; a rash that does not fade under pressure; very difficult to wake; abnormally cold. Under-5 warning signs also include not feeding, repeated vomiting or no urine for 12 hours. — Children

Sources

NHS - Otitis externahttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/
NHS - Fever in childrenhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/
NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/

When to seek further review

When to get emergency help(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)

How to spot sepsis

Sources

When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)