Earache and ear pain are common, particularly in young children. It can be painful, but it is not usually a sign of anything serious.

Earache can affect one or both ears. How long it lasts depends on what is causing it. Most earaches in children are caused by an ear infection, which usually starts to improve after a few days.

Get urgent medical advice if:

You or your child has earache and:

  • becomes generally unwell
  • has a very high temperature or feels hot and shivery
  • has swelling around the ear
  • has fluid or pus coming from the ear
  • has hearing loss or a change in hearing
  • has something stuck in the ear
  • your child is under 2 and has earache in both ears

Contact your GP practice for an urgent appointment. If the practice is closed, call NHS 111 Wales on 111.

NHS 111 Wales earache information

NHS 111 Wales has trusted information about earache and ear pain, including symptoms, self-care, pharmacy advice and when to get medical help.

Read the NHS 111 Wales earache guide
Signs of earache in babies and young children

A young child might have earache if they:

  • rub or pull their ear
  • do not react to some sounds
  • have a temperature of 38°C or above
  • are irritable or restless
  • are off their food
  • keep losing their balance
How to help earache at home

There are some things you can do to help relieve earache and ear pain.

Do

  • use painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, if these are suitable for you or your child
  • use the correct dose for your child’s age and weight
  • place a warm or cold flannel on the ear

Do not

  • do not give aspirin to children under 16
  • do not put anything inside the ear, such as cotton buds
  • do not try to remove earwax yourself
  • do not let water get inside the ear if this makes symptoms worse
A pharmacist can help with earache

A pharmacist may be able to tell you:

  • what you can do to treat earache yourself
  • whether you can buy anything to help, such as eardrops
  • whether you need to see a GP

In Wales, the Common Ailments Service may allow a pharmacist to give advice and treatment for some common conditions without needing a GP appointment.

Find a pharmacy
See a GP if:

See a GP if you or your child:

  • has earache for more than 3 days
  • keeps getting earache
Common causes of earache

Earache and ear pain can be caused by many things. Sometimes the cause is not known.

Symptoms Possible cause
Ear pain with toothache Children teething, dental abscess
Ear pain with a change in hearing Glue ear, earwax build-up, an object stuck in the ear, perforated eardrum, particularly after a loud noise or accident
Ear pain with pain when swallowing sore throat, tonsillitis, quinsy, which is a complication of tonsillitis
Ear pain with a fever ear infection, flu, cold

Do not try to remove an object stuck in the ear yourself. See a GP.