Ear tugging mean infection?

Sneaky - posted on 02/08/2010

Ok, ok . . I did have a horrible thought that I did not want to suggest - bugs can sometimes crawl into ears and get stuck. DO NOT LET THAT THOUGHT FREAK YOU OUT!!! From the little bit of experience I have had (friends of friends and so on) typically a bug in the ear would do no damage and even if it could not be removed by a dr the ear does eventually expel anything that gets in there (dust and fluid and ear wax, etc) by itself anyway. It is just a really gross idea. . . SORRY!

Sneaky - posted on 02/08/2010

My girls both went through a period when they did it when they first 'discovered' their ears and every time a new tooth came through but the older one has also done it when she has an ear infection or when she just has a fluid build up in her inner ear...I think it is really rare to have an ear infection in a bub that young because their immune systems are so switched on BUT you will feel much better if you have a dr look in there anyway :o)

Isobel - posted on 02/07/2010

My son tugs his ears (and everybody else's) as a soothing technique. I think it's adorable

Sashell - posted on 02/07/2010

My daughter does the same thing when she is fussy. No ear infection though. When an ear infection is present the child is usually crying constantly, tugging at the ears and has a fever. Mention it to your pediatrician next time you have an appt... which should be soon.

Nicole - posted on 02/07/2010

My son started pulling on his ears and being fussy and not eating well around 8 months. I thought he had an ear infection, so I took him to the doctor. He was fine, just teething. I'd take him to the doctor. If anything, it'll ease your mind.

DeAnna - posted on 02/07/2010

It's an old wives tale for a reason...Sometimes it is a sign.. but would look for other signs as well like fussiness or a feaver.

Dianne - posted on 02/07/2010

When my daughter had an ear infection when she was an infant, those were two of the symptoms she had. (she also wasn't eating or sleeping very well). It could go either way. He may just like to tug on his ears, but to be sure, I would keep an eye on it to see if any other symptoms develop, or if his fussiness gets worse.

Aimee-Grace - posted on 02/06/2010

Hi, I agree with Gayle, my daughter plays with her ears ever since she has found them. She does it even more frequently when she is teething. She only had an ear infection once and that came with a fever and the tugging. I agree that you could get it checked out by a doctor just to be sure.

Gayle - posted on 02/06/2010

Hi there. My son is now 13 months old but from the time he could do anything with his hands he has been playing with his ears - pulling, tugging, flapping them over etc. We took him to our dr a few times and she said there was no infection but he does have a wax buildup (and still does). I guess the best thing for you to do is to take him to a dr - just to make sure, because if it is an infection you want that cleared up right away - but hopefully its just something simple - like wax LOL. GL to you and your little guy.