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According to NHS, ear infections are very common, particularly in children. You do not always need to see a doctor for an ear infection as they often get better on their own within 3 days.
Check if it’s an ear infection
The symptoms of an ear infection usually start quickly and include:
1. pain inside the ear
2. a high temperature
3. being sick
4. a lack of energy
5. difficulty hearing
6. discharge running out of the ear
7. a feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear
8. itching and irritation in and around the ear
9. scaly skin in and around the ear.
Young children and babies with an ear infection may also:
1. rub or pull their ear
2. not react to some sounds
3. be irritable or restless
4. be off their food
5. keep losing their balance.
Most ear infections clear up within 3 days, although sometimes symptoms can last up to a week.
If you, or your child, have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
How to treat an ear infection yourself
To help relieve any pain and discomfort from an ear infection:
Do
1. use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
2. place a warm or cold flannel on the ear
3. remove any discharge by wiping the ear with cotton wool.
Don’t
1. do not put anything inside your ear to remove earwax, such as cotton buds or your finger
2. do not let water or shampoo get in your ear
3. do not use decongestants or antihistamines, there’s no evidence they help with ear infections.
A pharmacist can help with an ear infection
Speak to a pharmacist if you think you have an outer ear infection.
They can recommend acidic eardrops to help stop bacteria or fungus spreading.
Treatment from a doctor
The doctor may prescribe medicine for your ear infection, depending on what’s caused it.
Infections inside the ear
Antibiotics are not usually offered because infections inside the ear often clear up on their own and antibiotics make little difference to symptoms, including pain.
Antibiotics might be prescribed if:
1. an ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days
2. you or your child has any fluid coming out of the ear
3. you or your child has an illness that means there’s a risk of complications, such as cystic fibrosis.
They may also be prescribed if your child is less than 2 years old and has an infection in both ears.
If antibiotics are not prescribed, eardrops containing a painkiller and an anaesthetic might be prescribed.
Outer ear infections
The doctor might prescribe:
1. antibiotic eardrops, to treat a bacterial infection
2. steroid eardrops, to bring down swelling
3. antifungal eardrops, to treat a fungal infection
4. antibiotic tablets, if your bacterial infection is severe.
If you have a spot or boil in your ear, the doctor may pierce it with a needle to drain the pus.
Eardrops may not work if they’re not used correctly
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