Ear Ache (Acute Otitis Media)

Ear infections especially Otitis Media are very common, particularly in children. They do not always need to see a GP for an ear infection as the community pharmacy can help and they often get better on their own within a few days bur ear ache is the most common symptom

The symptoms of an ear infection usually start quickly and include:

• Pain inside the ear
• A high temperature
• Being sick
• A lack of energy
• Difficulty hearing
• Discharge running out of the ear
• A feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear
• Itching and irritation in and around the ear
• Scaly skin in and around the ear

Young children and babies with an ear infection may also:

• Rub or pull their ear
• Not react to some sounds
• Be irritable or restless
• Be off their food
• Keep losing their balance

The pharmacy can help with advice and support e.g. a reminder that:

• Painkillers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen can help with the pain and swelling
• A warm or cold flannel on the ear can also help with the pain and swelling
• Cotton wool wiped gently can help remove any discharge 
• Ear drops e.g. containing  Acetic Acid can be sold and used to help stop bacteria or fungus spreading
• Sticking cotton wool buds or your fingers in your ears can make the problem worse or cause injury
• Earplugs or a swimming hat over your ears when you swim can stop symptoms returning
• Avoiding  water or shampoo getting into your ears when you have a shower or bath will help
• Treating conditions that affect your ears, such as eczema or an allergy to hearing aids will also help

Under the Pharmacy 1st scheme if the ear ache is believed to be infectious, and dependant on the patient themselves, the pharmacist may prescribe a variety of products including the antibiotics Amoxicillin, Erythromycin or Clarithromycin if certain criteria are met e.g.

• The patient falls into the correct age bracket for the prescribing
• The patient has the correct signs and symptoms to meet the prescribing criteria
• They do not fall into the excluded categories
• The registered healthcare professional should also have evidence of competence in the clinical skills and knowledge covered in the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) Pharmacy First Service self-assessment framework. This evidence can be found at the following link CPPE Pharmacy First. Numarknet has partnered with CIG our training provider and a downloadable document with links to the CIG website and enroling on the external CIG training can all be found at the following link ECG Pharmacy First . The document is called ECG Pharmacy First Training Booking Guide.