Ear Infections

Symptoms

The symptoms of an ear infection usually start quickly and include:

• pain inside the ear (earache)
• a high temperature
• difficulty hearing
• discharge running out of the ear
• a feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear
• itching and irritation in and around the ear
• scaly skin in and around the ear

Young children and babies with an ear infection may also:

• rub or pull their ear
• not react to some sounds
• be irritable or restless
• be off their food
• 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.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms of an ear infection the GP will often use an instrument with a small light and magnifying glass (an otoscope) to look in your ear.

Some otoscopes blow a small puff of air into the ear. This checks for blockages, which could be a sign of an infection.

Treatment Options

There are things you can do to help ease any pain and discomfort from an ear infection.

Do:

• use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
• remove any discharge by wiping the ear with cotton wool

Don’t:

• do not put anything inside your ear to remove earwax, such as cotton buds or your finger
• do not let water or shampoo get in your ear
• do not go swimming while you have an ear infection
• 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 your child has signs of an ear infection and is aged 1 to 17 years.

You'll usually need to see a GP if your ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days.

How it's treated depends on what's causing your symptoms and which part of your ear is infected.

If you have a spot or boil in your ear, the GP may pierce it with a needle to drain the pus.

The GP may prescribe:

• antibiotic tablets or eardrops
• antifungal or steroid eardrops
• painkilling eardrops

Eardrops may not work if they're not used correctly.

Prevention Tips

You cannot always prevent ear infections, particularly infections caused by colds and flu.

But there are things that can help:

• make sure your child has had all their childhood vaccinations
• keep your child away from smoky environments
• try not to give your child a dummy after they're 6 months old
• do not stick cotton wool buds or your fingers in your ears
• use earplugs or a swimming hat over your ears when you swim
• try to avoid water or shampoo getting into your ears when you have a shower or bath – you could put cotton wool smeared with petroleum jelly into your ear while showering if it's difficult to keep water out of your ears
• treat conditions that affect your ears, such as eczema or an allergy to hearing aids

When To See A Doctor

See a GP if:

You or your child have:

• earache that does not start to get better after 3 days
• lots of ear infections

Ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

You have symptoms of an ear infection and:

• you've become generally unwell
• you have a very high temperature or feel hot and shivery
• there's swelling around the ear
• fluid is coming out of the ear
• your hearing has changed or you have hearing loss
• you feel sick or are sick (vomit), feel dizzy or have a severe sore throat
• your child is under 2 and has earache in both ears
• you have diabetes, a heart, lung, kidney or neurological condition
• you have a weakened immune system (for example, because of chemotherapy)