Treatment of Ear infection

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The treatment for ear infections depends on the cause.

Most middle ear infections clear up without treatment in about three days. Nose drops, bought over the counter, can help to reduce any swelling inside the nose and Eustachian tubes (often caused by the common cold), and ease the pressure on the ear.

Outer ear infections might be treated with lotions, creams, or ear-drops containing anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, or moisturising ingredients. These can be applied inside your ear canal on a special piece of gauze. You might also be given corticosteroid cream to reduce swelling and redness inside the ear. You should never put anything, including creams and lotions, inside your ear until you have discussed it with your pharmacist or GP.

You might have to take antibiotics if itâ€™s a bacterial infection, but it is often hard for doctors to tell the difference between viral and bacterial infections â€“ if it is a viral infection, antibiotics will not work.

Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol can be taken to relieve any pain.

Children who keep getting ear infections might have tiny tubes called grommets put into their eardrums, to help fluid drain out of the ear. This is a common operation that usually takes about 20 minutes under a general anaesthetic.