Ear infections
Overview
Ear infections are very common, particularly in children. They often get better on their own within 3 days.
Symptoms
The symptoms of an ear infection usually start quickly and include: pain inside the ear (earache)a high temperaturedifficulty hearingdischarge running out of the eara feeling of pressure or fullness inside the earitching and irritation in and around the earscaly skin in and around the ear Young children and babies with an ear infection may also: rub or pull their earnot react to some soundsbe irritable or restlessbe off their foodkeep losing their balance Most ear infections clear up within 3 days, although sometimes symptoms can last up to a week. If you, or your child, have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
Treatment
Treatment for an ear infections depends on what's causing it and which part of your ear is infected. A pharmacist or GP may give: antibiotic tablets or eardropsantifungal or steroid eardropspainkilling eardrops Eardrops may not work if they're not used correctly. If there's a spot or boil in your ear, a GP may pierce it with a needle to drain the pus.
Prevention
You cannot always prevent ear infections, particularly infections caused by colds and flu. But there are things that can help: make sure your child has had all theirchildhood vaccinationskeep your child away from smoky environmentstry not to give your child a dummy after they're 6 months olddo not stick cotton wool buds or your fingers in your earsuse earplugs or a swimming hat over your ears when you swimtry to avoid water or shampoo getting into your ears when you have a shower or bath – you could put cotton wool smeared with petroleum jelly into your ear while showering if it's difficult to keep water out of your earstreat conditions that affect your ears, such as eczema or an allergy to hearing aids