Mom, dad; it hurts!

Understanding and managing your child’s pain

As your little ones develop and grow older, they’ll go through many new experiences and challenges. Unfortunately, this means that they’re also likely to experience some pain along the way. Read on to learn more about common childhood conditions that often lead to pain and how to manage them appropriately.

Ear Infections

Middle ear infections, or otitis media (OM), occur when there’s infected fluid behind the eardrum in the middle ear area.¹ It tends to be common in kids from 6 months to 2 years of age, as their Eustachian tubes, which empty fluid from behind the ear into the throat, are still developing.¹ Ear infections are more common during cold and flu seasons, and for children who breathe through their mouths or are exposed to tobacco smoke.¹

Mucus or swollen tissues caused by bacterial or viral infections, like the common cold, can prevent the Eustachian tubes from draining fluid from the ear normally.¹ The built-up infected fluid then leads to ear pain, as well as other symptoms like fever, crying, poor sleep, or pulling or rubbing of the ear.¹ In some cases, the eardrum might burst from the pressure, with cloudy or yellow liquid coming out.¹

You can help treat your child’s pain and fever with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®) available at your local Rexall Pharmacy.¹ ASA (Aspirin®) should not be used for children since it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare condition which can damage their brain and liver.²

Your child’s doctor might recommend antibiotics, as well as antibiotic ear drops, if their infection or symptoms are more severe.¹ OM can go away on its own, so your doctor might suggest holding off for a day before starting antibiotics.¹ If there’s a hole in the eardrum, it will often heal on its own in a week.¹

Contact your child’s doctor if:¹

• their fever or pain hasn’t improved despite taking an antibiotic for 48 hours
• fluid is always exiting their ear
• you’re worried about their hearing

Contact emergency services or seek immediate medical attention if they have:¹

• Worsening pain, despite taking pain medication
• Painful or stiff neck
• Sleepiness or crankiness
• Repeated vomiting, making them unable to keep down their medications or fluids
• Redness and swelling behind their ear
• An ear that appears to stick out
• Allergic symptoms while taking an antibiotic (e.g., rash, puffy face or puffy lips)

Teething

Teething happens when your child’s first teeth start to appear, usually at around 6 months of age.³ As the teeth push through the gums, this can lead to symptoms including pain, irritability, excessive crying or drooling, or swollen and red gums.³ Teething shouldn’t cause a fever; it’s important to contact their doctor if this happens.³

There are many things that you can do to help relieve your child’s teething pain. Applying a cold (but not frozen) object, such as a clean finger or damp washcloth, to the affected gums can soothe the area.³ You can also give them a teething ring, pacifier or rubber bottle to see if putting pressure on the gums might help.³ Excessive drool can make your child crankier since the saliva can irritate the skin, so wipe away any drool from their chin on a regular basis.³

If you’re looking for a pain relief medication, consider acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®).³ Do not give ASA (Aspirin®) to children since it can lead to Reye’s syndrome.³ Avoid using any lotions that have numbing agents (anesthetics) since the drool tends to wash it away from the gums and into their throat, which can affect their normal gag reflex.³

Using pain relief medications safely

If you decide to relieve your child’s pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, it’s important to make sure that you’re using these products safely. These medications are available as drops or liquids, as well as chewable tablets for children. Since babies and children are much smaller than adults, it’s especially important to get the right dose for their weight. This can make the medication more effective and safer. Use a medication syringe or medicine measuring cup, rather than kitchen spoons, for precise measurements.⁴ Be sure to keep all medications out of your child’s reach in a safe location, such as in a high kitchen cabinet.

While it’s normal to worry for your kids, experiencing pain is part of the process of growing up. Knowing when to seek help and appropriate ways to manage their pain is an important part of being a parent. If you’re ever feeling lost, don’t hesitate to speak to your Rexall® pharmacist so that they can help assess your child’s pain symptoms and find the right product for them. They can also determine the correct medication dose for them and show you how to measure that amount properly.