Earache

Earache

Earache is a common problem, particularly in children. It can be worrying, but it’s usually only caused by a minor infection and will often get better in a few days without treatment.

Earache can be a sharp, dull or burning ear pain that comes and goes or is constant. One or both ears may be affected.

Earache self-help guide

Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.

Earache

Before using this guide

If you’re asking on behalf of someone else, please make sure the person is:

• conscious and alert
• responding normally to you

If not, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’re worried about coronavirus, read our coronavirus guidance.

When to get medical advice

You do not always need to see a GP as earache will usually get better on its own within a few days.

Speak to your pharmacist for advice and treatment if you have earache. Your pharmacist may recommend that you speak to your GP practice if required.

Find your nearest pharmacy

Speak to your GP practice if:

You or your child have earache and:

• a high temperature (fever)
• vomiting
• a severe sore throat
• hearing loss
• swelling around the ear
• discharge from the ear
• there is something stuck in your or your child’s ear
• the earache doesn’t improve within a few days
• your child is under 2 and has earache in both ears

If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.

Speak to your GP practice if:

You or your child:

• have earache for more than 3 days
• keep getting earache

Treatment for earache

Do

• ask your pharmacist about using over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, or eardrops to treat the pain
• place a warm flannel against the affected ear

Don’t

• do not use eardrops or olive oil drops if the eardrum has burst

If you or your child has an ear infection, you should avoid putting objects in the ear, such as cotton buds, or getting the affected ear wet.

Ear infections

If the cause of earache is an ear infection, there may be a watery or pus-like fluid coming out of the ear.

Outer ear infections (infections of the tube connecting the outer ear and eardrum) and middle ear infections (infections of the parts of the ear behind the eardrum) are very common causes of earache.

Many ear infections clear up on their own without treatment in a few days or weeks, but in some cases your GP may prescribe eardrops or antibiotics.

Glue ear

Glue ear (also known as otitis media with effusion, or OME) is a build-up of fluid deep inside the ear, which commonly causes some temporary hearing loss. The condition tends to be painless, but sometimes the pressure of this fluid can cause earache.

Glue ear will often clear up on its own, although this can take a few months. If the problem is persistent, a minor procedure to place small tubes called grommets in the ear may be recommended to help drain the fluid.

Read more about glue ear

Damage to the ear

Earache can sometimes result from injury to the inside of the ear. For example, by scraping earwax from the ear canal using a cotton bud, or poking a cotton bud too far into your ear, which can puncture the eardrum.

The ear canal is very sensitive and can easily become damaged. The ear should heal on its own without treatment, but it can take up to 2 months for a perforated eardrum to heal. If you have a perforated eardrum, eardrops shouldn’t be used.

Earwax or an object in the ear

A build-up of earwax or an object stuck inside the ear can sometimes cause earache.

If there is something in your or your child’s ear that seems be causing pain, don’t attempt to remove it yourself. You may push it further inside and you may damage the eardrum.

If you have a build-up of earwax in your ear, your pharmacist will be able to recommend eardrops to soften it so it falls out naturally. In some cases, your GP will organise for removal of the wax (once softened with eardrops) by flushing the ear with water. This is known as ear irrigation.

If there is an object in the ear, your GP may need to refer you or your child to a specialist to have it removed.

Throat infections

If you find it painful to swallow and you have a sore throat, your earache could be a symptom of a throat infection such as tonsillitis or quinsy. Quinsy is an abscess on the back of your throat, which can sometimes make it very difficult to swallow.

Some types of tonsillitis will clear up after a few days without the need for antibiotics. But if you have quinsy, you will need to see your GP as soon as possible for treatment. You may have quinsy if your sore throat gets worse very quickly.

A problem with your jaw

Earache is occasionally caused by a problem with the joint of your jaw bone (where the jaw meets the skull). This is known as temporomandibular joint pain and can be caused by problems such as arthritis or teeth grinding.

Jaw pain can often be treated with painkillers, warm or cold compresses, and trying not to clench your jaw and grind your teeth.

A dental abscess

A dental abscess is a collection of pus that can form in your teeth or gums as a result of a bacterial infection. The main symptom is pain in your affected tooth, which can be intense and throbbing, although the pain can sometimes spread to your ear.

If you think you may have a dental abscess, make a dentist appointment as soon as possible. They may need to remove the abscess and drain the pus.

Read more about treating dental abscesses