Earache treatment in Southport — free, no appointment

What is earache?

Earache (also called ear pain or otalgia) is one of the most common reasons children visit a doctor — and one of the 7 conditions we can treat free under NHS Pharmacy First. Most earaches in children are caused by a middle ear infection (otitis media), which clears up quickly with the right treatment.

Under Pharmacy First, our pharmacist will assess your child, check their ears, and decide on the best treatment. In many cases, we can prescribe antibiotics on the spot — without needing a GP appointment.

Symptoms of earache

• Pain in one or both ears
• Pulling or tugging at the ear (younger children)
• Difficulty hearing or temporary hearing loss
• Fever or feeling generally unwell
• Fluid or discharge coming from the ear
• Loss of appetite or unusual irritability in babies

How we treat it

After assessing your child, our pharmacist will recommend one of the following:

• Antibiotic ear drops — for outer ear infections (otitis externa)
• Oral antibiotics — for middle ear infections in younger children or where pain is severe
• Pain relief advice — paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage discomfort while the infection clears
• Watchful waiting — some ear infections clear on their own within 3 days without antibiotics

We’ll explain everything clearly and make sure you know what to do if symptoms don’t improve.

What causes earache?

Most earaches in children are caused by:

• Middle ear infection (otitis media) — the most common type, usually following a cold. Bacteria or viruses cause the space behind the eardrum to become infected and inflamed.
• Outer ear infection (otitis externa) — infection of the ear canal, often called ‘swimmer’s ear’.
• Fluid behind the eardrum (glue ear) — common in young children; causes a feeling of fullness and reduced hearing.