Earache Treatment at The Village Pharmacy
Earache is one of the most common reasons parents seek advice for their children, and acute otitis media, an infection of the middle ear, is the leading cause of earache in young children. It can cause real distress, particularly for babies and toddlers who cannot always explain what is wrong, but most cases of earache settle within a few days with the right support. At The Village Pharmacy, we understand how worrying it is to see your child in pain, especially overnight when a GP appointment is not readily available.
Through the NHS Pharmacy First service, our trained pharmacists can assess, diagnose and treat acute otitis media in children directly on the high street, without the need for a GP appointment in most cases.
What is Otitis Media?
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, the small air filled space behind the eardrum, and it is the most common underlying cause of earache in children. It develops when fluid builds up behind the eardrum and becomes infected, causing inflammation, pressure and pain. It is particularly common in babies and young children because their Eustachian tubes, which normally drain fluid from the middle ear, are shorter, narrower and more horizontal than in adults, making them easier to block.
Most children will have at least one episode of otitis media before the age of five, and some experience repeated bouts of earache, particularly during the winter months when colds and other respiratory infections are more common.
How otitis media differs from other causes of earache
Not all earache is caused by otitis media. Acute otitis media specifically involves infection behind the eardrum, which is different from outer ear infections, commonly known as swimmer’s ear, which affect the ear canal instead. It is also different from glue ear, where fluid remains in the middle ear over a longer period without necessarily being infected. Working out which of these is causing your child’s earache is an important part of getting the right treatment.
What Causes Earache and Otitis Media?
Otitis media almost always follows on from another type of infection, most commonly a cold or upper respiratory infection, and this is why earache so often appears alongside or shortly after cold symptoms. Common causes and contributing factors include:
- A cold or other viral upper respiratory infection that spreads to the middle ear
- Bacterial infection, which can develop following the initial viral illness
- Blocked or swollen Eustachian tubes, preventing fluid from draining normally
- Exposure to cigarette smoke, which increases the risk of otitis media in children
- Attending nursery or being around other children, which increases exposure to common infections
- Bottle feeding while lying flat, which can allow fluid to travel towards the middle ear
Because earache so often follows a cold, it is common for parents to notice ear pain developing a few days into, or just after, a bout of cold symptoms.
Symptoms of Earache
Recognising the signs of otitis media can be more difficult in younger children who are not yet able to describe their earache. Common symptoms include:
- Ear pain, or pulling, tugging or rubbing at the ear in younger children and babies
- A high temperature or feeling generally unwell alongside the earache
- Irritability, crying more than usual, or difficulty settling, particularly at night
- Reduced appetite or difficulty feeding
- Difficulty hearing or a temporary reduction in hearing
- Fluid discharge from the ear, which can sometimes indicate the eardrum has ruptured
If your child has a very high fever, appears extremely unwell, develops swelling or redness behind the ear, or shows signs of stiffness in the neck, please seek urgent medical attention, as these can indicate a more serious complication.
Treatment Through Pharmacy First
The Village Pharmacy offers the NHS Pharmacy First service, which allows our qualified pharmacists to assess and treat acute otitis media in children aged one to 17 years without the need for a GP referral in most cases. This means your child’s earache can often be seen and treated on the same day, helping to ease their discomfort more quickly.
During your consultation, our pharmacist will ask about your child’s earache and other symptoms, and examine their ear using an otoscope to check for signs of otitis media. Where appropriate, treatment through the service usually involves:
- Advice on pain relief, such as children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help manage earache
- A short course of antibiotics, where your pharmacist judges this to be appropriate based on your child’s symptoms and examination
- Guidance on what to expect over the following days as the earache and infection settle
- Advice on when to seek further review if symptoms do not follow the expected pattern of recovery
Many cases of otitis media improve without antibiotics, and our pharmacist will talk you through the most suitable approach for your child’s earache. If your child is under one year old, has recurrent ear infections, or has symptoms suggesting a more serious complication, we will refer you promptly to your GP or another appropriate service.
Caring for Your Child’s Earache at Home
Alongside any treatment we provide, there is plenty you can do at home to help ease your child’s earache. Age appropriate doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with pain and fever, and keeping your child upright rather than lying flat can ease pressure in the ear. Warm compresses held gently against the outer ear may also provide some comfort, and encouraging plenty of fluids helps support recovery generally.
If your child has earache or other symptoms of otitis media, get in touch with us today or book an appointment online and we will guide you through the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my baby has earache if they cannot tell me?
Babies often show discomfort through behaviour rather than words, such as pulling or rubbing at their ear, crying more than usual, becoming unsettled during feeding, or having difficulty sleeping. A high temperature alongside these signs can also point towards otitis media, and it is worth having your baby assessed if you notice this pattern.
Why do children get earache and otitis media so much more often than adults?
Children have shorter, narrower and more horizontally positioned Eustachian tubes than adults, which makes it easier for fluid to become trapped in the middle ear rather than draining away naturally. Their immune systems are also still developing, and frequent exposure to colds through nursery or school increases the opportunities for otitis media to develop.
Will my child definitely need antibiotics for their earache?
Not necessarily. A significant number of otitis media cases improve on their own within a few days with pain relief alone, as many are linked to viral infections that antibiotics cannot treat. Our pharmacist will assess your child individually to judge whether antibiotics are likely to help ease their earache in their specific case.
What does it mean if fluid comes out of my child’s ear?
This can sometimes happen if pressure from otitis media causes the eardrum to rupture, allowing built up fluid to drain out. While this can look alarming, it often actually relieves pressure and eases the earache, and the eardrum usually heals well on its own. It is still worth having this checked to confirm everything is healing as expected.
How long does earache from otitis media usually last?
Most cases of otitis media improve within two to three days, even without antibiotics, and the earache typically resolves fully within a week to ten days. If pain, fever or other symptoms persist beyond this, it is worth arranging a further review.
Can otitis media affect my child’s hearing?
A temporary reduction in hearing is common during a bout of otitis media, as fluid behind the eardrum affects how sound travels through the middle ear. This usually improves as the earache and infection clear. If hearing does not return to normal after an infection has resolved, or your child has frequent ear infections, it is worth having their hearing assessed further.
Where can I get earache and ear infection treatment near me?
You can visit us in person for a same day Pharmacy First consultation. Our pharmacy is located at:
The Meiklejohn Centre, 3- 7 Kingswood Way, Biddenham, Bedford MK40 4GH
You can also call us on 01234351455 or book online ahead of your visit.