Earache and ear infections

Earaches and ear infections are common in children and young people.

How long an earache lasts depends on what’s causing it. Most earaches in children and young people are caused by ear infections, but they can sometimes be caused by other infections, hearing a very loud noise or suffering from a burst eardrum – you can read more about these here.

Ear infections can be painful and unpleasant, but they usually get better on their own in a few days. You can speak to a medical professional such as a pharmacist – they can give the same treatments as a GP for an ear infection and can direct you to other medical help if needed. Find your local pharmacy here. 

If you think you might have an ear infection: 

• Use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (people under 16 years old should not take aspirin) 
• Speak to a pharmacist 
• Remove any discharge by wiping the surface of the ear with cotton wool (do not put anything inside your ear or try to remove earwax) 
• Placing a warm flannel on the ear might help 
• Don’t let water, shampoo or soap enter your ear 

Speak to a GP if you keep getting earaches or infections. 

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have an earache and: 

• It’s lasted for more than 2 to 3 days 
• You’ve become generally unwell 
• You have a very high temperature or feel hot, cold or shivery 
• You have swelling around the ear 
• You have fluid coming from the ear 
• You have hearing loss or a change in hearing
• You have something stuck in your ear (do not try to remove it yourself) 
• You feel or are being sick, feel dizzy or have a severe sore throat 
• You have a weakened immune system, diabetes or a heart, lung, kidney or neurological condition 

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively, you can always contact your school nursing team.

• w: NHS - Earache
  
• w: NHS - Hearing loss