Pulling at the Ears

Children younger than 2 to 3 years old may be too young to tell you when they are in pain. Pulling at the ears may be a sign of ear discomfort, especially if other symptoms, such as a fever, are also present. Other reasons that a young child may pull at his or her ears include:

• Itching in the ear canal from soap or shampoo.
• Earwax compacted in the ear canal. This may occur when a caregiver cleans the ear with a sharp object, such as a cotton swab, finger nail, or bobby pin.
• Fluid in the middle ear (effusion) without infection.
• Having recently discovered his or her ears.

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