Does this warrant a trip to the ped?

[Aishe]

DS is seven months and he's acting pretty normally, except that he keeps tugging/rubbing on his ears. He started doing it to his right ear on Monday and I thought maybe he had a bug bite on it. But I don't see any evidence of that and now he has started doing it to his left ear, too. But he's in good spirits otherwise. I have very little experience with ear infections and the nurse at the ped's office was no help ("You can bring him in if you want.") I went ahead and made an appointment for tomorrow, but I'd love some advice if anyone has it.

[lorinick]

Tugging of the ears I would take him in for a visit. My guys never have had ear problems, but I know that is something you don't want to mess with.

[Octobermommy]

Definitely not. If he isn't acting abnormally I would keep him home. Doctors don't even usually prescribe anything for an ear infection anyway unless it is very bad, lasted a long time or if the parents really want a prescription.

[Reyadawnbringer]

Does he by any chance have long hair around his ears? My DS had NO hair on the top of his head and these long wispy strands that would hang over his ears. I kept seeing him tug at his ears and he would tug/scratch so hard that I saw a small little bleed where he had scratched it too hard. I took him to the doctor swearing up and down that he had an ear infection, but when she looked his ears were perfectly fine. It finally (after several days) dawned on me that his small hairs (it wasn't really a lot or very noticeable) were tickling his ear and that is what he kept tugging at. We took him for a small trim (they would only trim those few hairs because he is still under 1) and since we got that trim I have not seen anymore tugging.

[KrisM]

I wouldn't. If he's otherwise acting normal, I don't think it's a reason to go.

[BeachBum]

The askdrsears.com website says it is unlikely a baby this age could identify ear pain and pull at their ear. Ear infections are usually followed by a cold/ and accompanied by a fever. It's more likely it is teething pain.

I just looked this up for my 7 month twins.

[LMPC]

I agree with PP's advice. Unless there's distress, change in eating, change in mood, change in sleeping...I would skip the peds.

[Momof3Labs]

I would skip the ped. Going to the ped just exposes him to other bugs that he doesn't already have - why take that risk when he has no symptoms of an ear infection?

[Aishe]

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far. I should note that both DH and DD have extremely high pain thresholds. The one time DD had an ear infection it apparently was quite severe, and she showed absolutely no signs of distress. (We only caught it because we were there for a well baby visit.) The ped said he wants to see her if she ever shows even a hint of discomfort. So of course I have to wonder if DS is the same way. He barely flinches when he gets vaccinations. But I just hate going to the doctor's office unnecessarily.

BeachBum, that's interesting info from Dr. Sears. I did wonder if a baby this young could identify the source of pain.

[carolinamama]

DS2 rubs at his ears any time a tooth is trying to come through, which has been alot lately. I am in the wait and see camp, but you have to do what makes you feel most comfortable.