If you have a perforated eardrum, eardrops shouldn't be used. The ear should heal on its own without treatment, but it can take up to two months for a perforated eardrum to heal. The ear canal is very sensitive and can easily become damaged. Read more about glue ear Damage to the earĮarache 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. If the problem is particularly persistent, a minor procedure to place small tubes called grommets in the ear may be recommended to help drain the fluid. Glue ear will often clear up on its own, although this can take a few months. The condition tends to be painless, but sometimes the pressure of this fluid can cause earache. 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. Read more about treating outer ear infections and treating middle ear infections Glue ear 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. 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. If the cause of earache is an ear infection, there may be a watery or pus-like fluid coming out of the ear. It does not include every possible cause, but outlines some of the most common reasons for earache. The information below should not be used to self-diagnose your condition, but it may give you an idea as to what might be causing your earache. 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. To assess your condition at home use our earache self-help guide.Įardrops or olive oil drops should not be used if the eardrum has burst, and they will not help an ear infection. the earache doesn't improve within a few days.
there is something stuck in your or your child's ear.you or your child also have other symptoms, such as a high temperature (fever), vomiting, a severe sore throat, hearing loss, swelling around the ear, or discharge from the ear.You should contact your GP or local out-of-hours service if: The pain will often improve in a few days and there are things you can do to help in the meantime. It's not always necessary to see your GP if you or your child have earache. Your local pharmacist is always on hand to offer help and advice on how you can manage the problem. 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.Įarache can be a sharp, dull or burning ear pain that comes and goes or is constant. Earache is a common problem, particularly in children.