Earache can affect both children and adults. It is common in young children.
Earache usually comes on suddenly and the pain can be severe. It is not usually a sign of anything serious.
Most earaches are caused by a viral infection so antibiotics do not help. Earaches usually clear up by themselves in 3 to 4 days.
A sore throat can sometimes cause an earache.
Symptoms of earache
Earache can affect one or both ears.
The main symptoms of earache are:
- severe pain (caused by the pressure of mucus on the eardrum)
- a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
- slight hearing loss
If there is no fever or temperature, the earache may be caused by:
- earwax build-up
- glue ear - the empty middle part of the ear canal fills up with fluid
If fluid comes out of the ear, keep the ear dry and contact your GP.
Symptoms of earache in babies and young children
A young child with earache might show other signs such as:
- rubbing or pulling their ear
- not reacting to some sounds
- being irritable or restless
- having no appetite
- losing their balance
Treatment for earache
Usually pain medicine such as paracetamol or ibuprofen helps ease an earache. It will also help reduce a high temperature.
Talk to a pharmacist about medicine for your child. For example, paracetamol for children.
Do not take antibiotics for an ear infection unless your GP prescribes them. Ear infections are usually caused by viruses, and antibiotics cannot treat viruses.
Do
-
use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not give aspirin to children under age 16)
-
give your child plenty of drinks if they have a high temperature
Don't
-
do not put anything inside the ear, such as cotton buds
-
do not try to remove earwax
When to contact your GP
Usually, you do not need to contact a GP for an earache.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if
you or your child has an earache and has:
- dizziness
- a severe headache
- fluid, blood or discharge coming from the ear
- your child has put something in their ear
- not improved after 3 to 4 days
After an ear infection
After an ear infection, you may still have fluid behind your eardrum. This can last for several months. Your hearing may be affected. Your ear may feel uncomfortable. It is usually a dull, abnormal feeling rather than a sharp pain.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- you are worried about earache symptoms that do not go away
- symptoms are affecting your or your child's hearing
- your child says that their ear feels uncomfortable
The GP can check that nothing else is causing these symptoms.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
