Symptoms
Symptoms of a middle ear infection
Pain inside the ear after a cold is typical. Pain when you tug the outer ear is more like otitis externa (ear canal infection).
Treatments
Middle Ear Infection Treatment Online
Request middle ear infection treatment online. A UK-registered clinician reviews your symptoms, with discreet UK delivery if antibiotics are suitable.
Introduction
Treatment overview
A middle ear infection (otitis media) causes earache, a blocked or full feeling, and sometimes fever or reduced hearing. It often follows a cold. Fluid behind the eardrum can also occur without much infection (glue ear).
Many adult cases are viral and settle with pain relief. Antibiotics are considered when bacterial infection is likely or you are at higher risk of complications. Discharge after a burst eardrum, mastoid swelling, or facial weakness needs urgent in-person care.
The condition
What is a middle ear infection?
The middle ear is the air-filled space behind the eardrum. Infection there (otitis media) usually follows a cold, when the Eustachian tube blocks and fluid builds up. You may have earache, a blocked feeling, fever, and muffled hearing.
Many cases in otherwise healthy adults are viral. The eardrum can perforate, causing a sudden discharge and often some pain relief. Glue ear is fluid that lingers after infection and mainly affects hearing.
Private Pharmacy Care can review pain relief and, when guidelines support it, an antibiotic after a consultation. A clinician decides. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription. Swelling behind the ear is urgent.
Causes
Causes of middle ear infections
Viruses start most episodes. Bacteria sometimes infect trapped fluid. Children get otitis media more often because their Eustachian tubes are shorter; remote adult services are not a substitute for paediatric assessment.
Products
Available products
Benefits
Benefits and uses
Pain control is the priority. An antibiotic such as amoxicillin is used only when guidelines support it — not for every earache.
Pain relief first
Paracetamol or ibuprofen, if safe for you, often makes the biggest difference in the first 24 hours.
Antibiotics when they are justified
A clinician can decide if watchful waiting or a prescription is more appropriate.
Glue ear versus infection
We will ask about hearing and how long symptoms have lasted so you are not treated for the wrong problem.
Complication advice
Swelling behind the ear, confusion, or a stiff neck is not a remote-antibiotic situation.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Typical earache after a cold in an otherwise well adult may be suitable. Young children, people with grommets, and anyone who is severely unwell need NHS assessment.
May be suitable if
- Earache with a recent cold, and you are generally well enough to manage at home
- You can use simple pain relief and watch for worsening
- You will seek urgent care if you develop swelling behind the ear or become very unwell
- You can tell us about penicillin allergy and previous ear surgery
May not be suitable if
- Swelling or redness behind the ear, a sticking-out ear, or facial weakness — possible mastoiditis; urgent care
- Severe drowsiness, neck stiffness, or a non-blanching rash
- A child who is floppy, not drinking, or under an age we cannot assess remotely
- You have a cochlear implant, recent ear surgery, or a discharging ear after trauma
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to check if ear infection treatment is right for you?
Start a confidential consultation. Seek urgent care for swelling behind the ear, facial weakness, or severe illness.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
Viral infections settle as the cold does. If an antibiotic is used, it targets bacteria that sometimes infect the middle ear. Finish the course. Decongestants do not reliably treat otitis media. Keep the ear dry if the drum has perforated.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Mastoiditis and meningitis are uncommon but serious. Worsening after a few days, or new neurological symptoms, needs urgent review.
A burst eardrum often heals, but persistent discharge or hearing loss needs a GP or ENT.
- Do not put cotton buds or oil in a painful discharging ear unless a clinician has said to.
- Go to A&E for swelling behind the ear, confusion, or a non-blanching rash.
- Hearing that does not recover after the pain settles should be checked.
- Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Side effects
Side effects
Antibiotics can cause diarrhoea and rash. Painkillers have their own leaflet limits.
- Nausea or diarrhoea Take antibiotics as directed. Seek help for severe or bloody diarrhoea.
- Rash Stop and get advice, especially if you have taken penicillin.
- Stomach upset from painkillers Stay within dose limits.
- Thrush Can follow antibiotics.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the leaflet for painkillers or antibiotics. The steps below are general.
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Prioritise pain control in the first 24 hours
Take painkillers at regular intervals within the licensed maximum, not only when pain peaks.
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If an antibiotic is prescribed, finish it
Do not share leftover capsules. If you are worse at 48 hours, seek further care.
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Keep a discharging ear dry
Avoid swimming until advised. Do not syringe the ear yourself.
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Protect hearing follow-up
If hearing has not returned a few weeks after the pain has gone, see a GP.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Most middle ear infections settle. A few complications are serious. Use the lists below if you are unsure whether to wait.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Swelling or redness behind the ear, a sticking-out ear, or facial weakness — go to A&E.
- Severe drowsiness, neck stiffness, dislike of light, or a non-blanching rash — go to A&E.
- A child who is floppy, not drinking, or has a bulging fontanelle — emergency care; this service is not for sick children.
- Sudden severe hearing loss with dizziness and vomiting — urgent assessment.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- Pain lasting more than a few days, or discharge that continues — see a GP; you may need the ear examining.
- Recurrent ear infections, or you have grommets or previous ear surgery.
- Hearing that stays dull after the illness, or you work in a noisy environment and need it checked.
- You have a cochlear implant or a weakened immune system — do not rely on remote care alone.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Do I always need antibiotics for an ear infection?
No. Many improve in a few days with pain relief. Antibiotics are reserved for selected cases.
Can I fly with an ear infection?
Pressure changes can be very painful if the ear is blocked. Delay flying if you can until symptoms settle.
Is this the same as swimmer’s ear?
Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal, often with a painful tug on the outer ear. Treatment differs. Describe where it hurts.
Is this service available now?
Yes. Start an online consultation. Use urgent NHS care now if there is swelling behind the ear or you are very unwell.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS health A to Z Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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