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Earache

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

How long earache lasts

How long earache lasts depends on what's causing it. Most earaches in children are caused by an ear infection, which usually start to improve after a few days.

Symptoms 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 38C or above
  • are irritable or restless
  • are off their food
  • keep losing their balance

Earache and ear pain can affect 1 or both ears.

How to treat earache yourself

Most earaches get better on their own but get medical help if symptoms do not improve within 2 to 3 days.

Get help sooner if you're worried about other symptoms, such as a high temperature or fluid leaking from the ear.

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

Do

  • use painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin)

  • place a warm flannel on the ear

Don’t

  • do not put anything inside your ear, such as cotton buds

  • do not try to remove earwax

  • do not let water get inside your ear

Information:

Some painkillers are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or get medical advice before taking them.

Non-urgent advice: A pharmacist can help with earaches

A pharmacist can tell you:

  • what you can do to treat earache yourself
  • if you can buy anything to help (for example, eardrops)
  • if you need to see a GP
  • if they can treat an infection of the middle ear in children aged 1 to 17

They can provide some treatments if you need it without you seeing a GP.

Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you or your child keep getting earache

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You or your child have earache and:

  • have had it for more than 2 to 3 days
  • become generally unwell
  • have a very high temperature or feel hot and shivery
  • have swelling around the ear
  • have fluid coming from the ear
  • have hearing loss or a change in hearing
  • have something stuck in the ear
  • your child is under 2 and has earache in both ears

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years old.

What causes earache and pain

Earache and pain is often caused by an ear infection but there are lots of possible causes.

Do not try to diagnose the cause yourself.

What causes earache and pain
Symptoms Possible condition

Ear pain with toothache

Children teething, dental abscess

Ear pain with change in hearing

Glue ear, earwax build-up, an object stuck in the ear (do not try to remove it yourself – see a GP), perforated eardrum (particularly after a loud noise or accident)

Ear pain with pain when swallowing

Sore throat, tonsillitis, quinsy (a complication of tonsillitis)

Ear pain with a fever

Ear infection, flu, cold

Page last reviewed: 27 October 2025
Next review due: 27 October 2028