Earache

When to book earache treatment

Book a Pharmacy First earache consultation if you have a sharp or dull pain in one or both ears, a feeling of pressure or fullness, muffled hearing, tinnitus, discharge from the ear, dizziness or a high temperature.

In young children, who cannot always explain the pain, look for pulling or rubbing at the ear, irritability or crying, difficulty sleeping, reduced appetite, poor balance, not responding to sounds as usual, and a fever of 38C or above.

Seek urgent advice from your GP or NHS 111 if:

• Earache has not improved after three days
• There is a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery
• There is swelling or redness around the ear
• Fluid or pus is draining from the ear
• There is sudden hearing loss
• An object is stuck in the ear
• Pain is severe and not relieved by painkillers
• Earaches keep coming back

What causes earache?

• Ear infections - of the outer ear (otitis externa) or middle ear (otitis media)
• Earwax build-up - pressing on the ear canal and eardrum
• Glue ear - fluid in the middle ear, common in children
• Sore throat or tonsillitis - pain radiating to the ears through shared nerve pathways
• Dental problems - tooth infections, abscesses or TMJ disorder causing referred pain
• Perforated eardrum - sudden sharp pain with hearing changes
• Foreign objects - particularly in children
• Air pressure changes - from flying, diving or altitude

Earache in children

Most children have at least one ear infection before they start school. Their Eustachian tubes are narrower and more horizontal than in adults, so blockages and infections are more likely. Glue ear is also more common in children and can affect hearing and speech development if left untreated. Seek advice if your child is under two with earache in both ears, or if symptoms have not improved after three days.

Self-care for earache

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the dosage on the packet
• Hold a warm flannel against the affected ear
• Never insert cotton buds or anything else into the ear
• Do not try to remove earwax yourself
• Keep the ear dry when bathing or swimming
• Rest and stay hydrated, especially alongside a cold or flu

Pharmacy First earache treatment

Through the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, our pharmacists can assess and treat earache without a GP appointment. We take a history, examine the ear where appropriate, and can recommend over-the-counter pain relief or prescribe ear drops or antibiotics where clinically appropriate. The service is free, available to all ages, and we can refer you on if further investigation is needed.

To reduce future earache, keep ears clean and dry, avoid inserting objects, wear earplugs when swimming if you are prone to swimmers ear, manage allergies and hay fever, and keep children up to date with vaccinations. If wax build-up keeps recurring, our ear microsuction service can remove it safely.

Find earache treatment near you

No appointment needed, same-day assessment, NHS-aligned advice and referral where necessary. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy.