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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.
| Inner ear infection | Middle ear infection (otitis media) | Outer ear infection (otitis externa) |
|---|---|---|
|
Inner ear infection
Can affect both children and adults |
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Usually affects children |
Outer ear infection (otitis externa)
Can affect both children and adults |
|
Inner ear infection
Caused by viral or bacterial infections |
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Caused by viruses like colds and flu |
Outer ear infection (otitis externa)
Caused by something irritating the ear canal, such as eczema, water or wearing earplugs, or a fungal or bacterial infection |
|
Inner ear infection
Affects parts of the inner ear like the labyrinth and vestibular system, and can lead to labyrinthitis |
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Affects the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear (area behind the eardrum) to the back of the nose |
Outer ear infection (otitis externa)
Affects the ear canal (the tube between the outer ear and the eardrum) |
There are things you can do to help ease any pain and discomfort from an ear infection.
use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
remove any discharge by wiping the ear with cotton wool
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
Speak to a pharmacist if your child has signs of an ear infection and is aged 1 to 17 years.
A pharmacist can give children the same treatments as a GP for an ear infection. They can also give advice or direct you to other medical help.
You or your child have:
You have symptoms of an ear infection and:
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
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.
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:
Eardrops may not work if they're not used correctly.
You cannot always prevent ear infections, particularly infections caused by colds and flu.
But there are things that can help:
