Middle ear infections result in inflammation or infection of the space behind the eardrum. As pressure from fluid builds in the middle ear, pain worsens. The eardrum may tear and drain. The tear usually heals in a few days. If your child swims a lot and his ear hurts when the earlobe is moved up and down, he or she may have swimmer's ear.
General care includes rinsing the ear canal with a few drops of half alcohol and half water.
Use acetaminophen for pain relief. Avoid swimming until the symptoms are gone. If an earache lasts more than two hours, seek medical help. The only way to know if the child has an ear infection is to look at the eardrum. If the pain is caused by an infection, then the medical care can be given.