Otitis media – infection of the middle ear

What are the symptoms?

Earache and dulled hearing may develop for a few days and you might have a high temperature. Your eardrum might burst. This lets out infected mucus and can leak out of the ear for a few days. As the pain is due to a pressurised eardrum, if the eardrum bursts, the pain often settles. A perforated eardrum usually heals quickly after the infection clears. It is important that during the next 6 weeks the ear canal is kept dry during the healing process. Once the infection and perforation has cleared, your hearing should return to normal.

What is the treatment for otitis media?

• Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used for pain and will also lower a raised temperature.
• When an ear infection first develops a doctor may advise a wait and see approach for 2-3 day. This is to see if the infection clears without the need for antibiotics. Antibioitics are prescribed if the infection is severe, or is getting worse after 2-3 days.

Most ear infections will clear on their own within 3 days. The immune system can usually clear bacteria or viruses causing ear infections

It is important that you follow the following advice:

Do:

• Keep your ear canal dry during treatment
• Place a piece of cotton wool coated in Vaseline in your outer ear when having a shower
• Use the ear drops as instructed, if these have been prescribed. It is important that you wash your hands before and after putting in the ear drops
• If you are prescribed antibiotics, it is important you complete the whole course as directed by your doctor
• Clean the outside of the ear with a cloth if you see any discharge

Don’t:

• Allow water to enter the ear canal during your treatment
• Clean your ears with cotton buds – they can do further damage to the ear canal and will make things worse. They may scratch, irritate and push wax or dirt further into the ear. The ear cleans itself and bits of wax will fall out now and then.

Help with pain management

Simple painkillers can be used after infection, most of which can be bought over the counter in shops, supermarkets or pharmacy’s. Examples are:

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen

You may have been prescribed an alternative painkiller, please refer to specific advice for that tablet if this is the case.

Further advice

If you have any ongoing concerns or queries about your ear infection you should contact NHS 111 or your local GP.

If your concern is an emergency, attend your local Emergency Department.