a2b,
Your little one will have had (recurring?) otitis media for which it is sometimes necessary to insert grommets in the ear drums.
That is not what shgsaint has (or so I suspect); I think (like gingernut) that he is suffering from Otitis externa.
That is an infection of the skin of the ear canal.
A quick look will confirm diagnosis.
First line treatment would be some antibiotic containing drops; they also contain a steroid. The combination usually quickly resolves the discomfort (due to the swelling of the skin in a confined space - the bony ear canal) infection and inflammation.
Otitis Externa is commonly caused by people poking their ears with cotton wool buds, fingers, paperclips and what have you. Other causes can be frequent swimming and those with psoriasis can get this due to debris clogging up the ears.
Remember, the smallest thing you are allowed to stick in your ear is your elbow!
