Ear infections are very common, particularly in children. You do not always need to see a GP for an ear infection as they often get better on their own within 3 days. The symptoms of an ear infection usually start quickly and include: Young children and babies with an ear infection may also: 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.
Differences between middle and outer ear infections How to treat an ear infection yourselfTo help relieve any pain and discomfort from an ear infection: Do
Don’t
A pharmacist can help with an ear infectionSpeak to a pharmacist if you think you have an outer ear infection. They can recommend acidic eardrops to help stop bacteria or fungus spreading. Find a pharmacy Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you or your child have:
What happens at your appointmentThe GP will often use a small light (an otoscope) to look in the 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 from a GPThe GP may prescribe medicine for your ear infection, depending on what's caused it. Infections inside the earAntibiotics 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:
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 infectionsThe GP might prescribe:
If you have a spot or boil in your ear, the GP may pierce it with a needle to drain the pus. Eardrops may not work if they're not used correctly.
Preventing ear infectionsYou cannot always prevent ear infections, particularly inner ear infections caused by colds and flu. To help avoid inner ear infections:
To help avoid outer ear infections:
Page last reviewed: 16 June 2021 How do you know if antibiotics are working for ear infection?Your doctor can look inside the ears during a follow-up visit. They'll determine whether the infection has cleared up. To help ease the pain, your doctor may recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Ibuprofen is not recommended for children who are younger than 6 months, however.
What happens if your ear infection won't go away with antibiotics?So, it's important to see the doctor if symptoms remain after finishing the antibiotics. They'll likely want to take a look in your ear and learn more about your symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend you see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor.
How long does amoxicillin take for ear infection?In about half of all cases, an ear infection resolves itself without any need for medication. However, in the majority of cases children need an antibiotic, usually amoxicillin, for a course of 10 days. The drug starts to work within a day or so.
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