Lidocaine ear drops, together with pain relief by mouth, may relieve pain faster in many children with acute middle ear infection (acute otitis media), according to a report in Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Acute otitis media is common and usually gets better without antibiotics. A study comparing lidocaine drops with saline (salt water) drops found that most children given lidocaine had 25% less pain than those given saline. Both groups improved quickly: 30 minutes after the drops, pain had gone or was mild in 80% of the lidocaine group and 59% of the saline group.
"Ear infections in children are common and painful," says Dr Penny Bolt. "As well as simple pain relief by mouth, such as paracetamol, lidocaine ear drops can help relieve the pain faster." Ear drops shouldn't be used if the eardrum may be perforated or there is discharge from the ear, so ask a doctor first.
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