Ear Infection Treatment (Private)

When to book ear infection treatment

Book an ear infection consultation at Allied Pharmacies if you or your child has:

• Earache - a sharp, dull or burning pain in one or both ears
• Muffled hearing or a feeling of pressure and fullness
• Discharge from the ear, clear, yellow or bloody
• Itching or irritation in the ear canal
• A high temperature
• Dizziness or loss of balance

In young children, look for pulling or tugging at the ear, irritability, difficulty feeding, poor balance or not responding to sounds as usual.

Most ear infections improve within 3 days. See a pharmacist if earache lasts longer than 3 days, infections keep coming back, there is discharge or hearing loss, or a child under 12 months has symptoms. The NHS advises calling 111 for swelling around the ear, a very high temperature, severe pain, sudden hearing loss or a weakened immune system.

Types of ear infection

• Outer ear infection (otitis externa) - infection of the ear canal, sometimes called swimmers ear. Caused by water, irritation from earbuds or hearing aids, eczema, or bacterial and fungal infection
• Middle ear infection (otitis media) - infection behind the eardrum, most common in young children and usually triggered by colds and flu. Fluid builds up, causing pain and temporary hearing loss
• Inner ear infection (labyrinthitis) - affects the structures that control balance and hearing, causing dizziness, vertigo and nausea

Ear infection treatment options

• Self-care - rest, paracetamol or ibuprofen, and warm or cool compresses
• Antibiotic ear drops - for bacterial outer ear infections
• Antibiotic tablets - for severe or persistent infections
• Antifungal ear drops - where the cause is fungal, more common in hearing aid users
• Steroid ear drops - to reduce swelling in the ear canal

Our independent prescribing pharmacists can prescribe ear drops and antibiotics directly, saving you a GP appointment.

Self-care and prevention

Wipe discharge from the outer ear with damp cotton wool, never push anything into the ear canal and avoid cotton buds, as they push wax deeper. Keep the ear dry with a petroleum jelly coated cotton wool ball when showering and avoid swimming until the infection clears. To reduce future infections, use earplugs when swimming, treat eczema or allergies, keep hearing aids clean, avoid smoky environments and keep children up to date with vaccinations.

Untreated middle ear infections can lead to glue ear, a perforated eardrum or, rarely, mastoiditis. Children are more prone to ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are shorter, and repeated infections can affect hearing during speech development.

Find ear infection treatment near you

No GP referral needed. Walk in or book an appointment, with fast, often same-day treatment for adults and children. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy offering private ear infection treatment.