Earache

A young child might have earache if they:

• rub or pull their ear
• do not react to some sounds
• have a temperature of 38C or above
• are irritable or restless
• are off their food
• keep losing their balance

Earache and ear pain can affect 1 or both ears.

Most earaches get better on their own but get medical help if symptoms do not improve within 2 to 3 days.

Get help sooner if you're worried about other symptoms, such as a high temperature or fluid leaking from the ear.

There are some things you can do to help relieve earache and ear pain.

• use painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin)

• place a warm flannel on the ear

• do not put anything inside your ear, such as cotton buds

• do not try to remove earwax

• do not let water get inside your ear

Some painkillers are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or get medical advice before taking them.

A pharmacist can tell you:

• what you can do to treat earache yourself
• if you can buy anything to help (for example, eardrops)
• if you need to see a GP
• if they can treat an infection of the middle ear in children aged 1 to 17

They can provide some treatments if you need it without you seeing a GP.

• you or your child keep getting earache

Earache and pain is often caused by an ear infection but there are lots of possible causes.

Do not try to diagnose the cause yourself.

Common causes of earache include ear infections, a build-up of earwax in your ear and fluid in your ear (glue ear).

If you have earache, you may also have other symptoms, such as a high temperature or hearing loss. Earache can be harder to spot in young children.

Taking painkillers can help ease earache. You can also get treatments like eardrops from a pharmacy.