Child ear infection treatment, Essex | Reliance Pharmacy group

Pharmacy First - Acute otitis Media

Earache in children: NHS ear infection treatment at Reliance Pharmacy

A painful, common problem

Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. It is very common in young children and usually follows a cold. It causes ear pain, a temperature, irritability and sometimes fluid from the ear. Most cases settle within three days, but some need treatment.

Who can use it

Children and young people aged 1 to 17. Babies under 1, and any child who is very unwell, floppy, has a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade, or swelling behind the ear, need urgent medical care and the pharmacist will say so immediately.

What happens in the pharmacy

The pharmacist examines the ear with an otoscope, the same instrument a GP uses, and checks the eardrum. Depending on what they see, they will advise on pain relief, supply anaesthetic ear drops for pain, or supply antibiotics under NHS rules where the infection is severe or not settling. Everything is recorded and your GP practice is informed.

At home

Regular paracetamol or ibuprofen in the right dose for your child’s age does more for earache than anything else. Keep your child drinking. If the pain has not eased after three days, or your child gets worse, come back or call 111.

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Book online at reliancepharmacy.co.uk or ask in any Reliance Pharmacy branch.

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