Earache
By the AllHealth UK editorial teamLast reviewed Next review due Compiled from published NHS and NICE guidance. Not reviewed by a clinician.
Key facts
Earache can be a sharp, dull, or burning pain in one or both ears. It's very common in children but also affects adults. Most earaches resolve on their own, but some require medical treatment.
Most often affects:Children under 10SwimmersPeople with coldsFrequent flyers
What commonly causes earache
- Middle ear infection (otitis media) — especially common in children
- Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear / otitis externa)
- Earwax build-up blocking the ear canal
- Referred pain from sore throat, dental problems, or jaw issues
- Changes in air pressure (flying, diving)
- TMJ (jaw joint) dysfunction
What helps at home
- Hold a warm flannel or covered hot water bottle against the ear
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen at the recommended dose
- Sleep with the affected ear facing upward
- Do NOT insert cotton buds, fingers, or any objects into the ear
- For blocked ears: try swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum to equalise pressure
- Do not put anything in your ear while it hurts — the NHS says not to use cotton buds, not to try to remove earwax yourself, and not to let water get inside the ear. A pharmacist can advise.
When to get help
These three levels are different. Getting the level right is the single most useful thing this page can do for you.
Non-urgent advice: see a GP if
- Pain has not improved after 3 days of self-care
- You have had three or more ear infections in 6 months
- Your hearing has become gradually muffled over weeks
- You keep getting a blocked or itchy ear
- Earache keeps returning with no obvious cause
Urgent advice: ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if
- There is fluid, pus or blood coming out of your ear
- You have a high temperature and feel very unwell with the earache
- The pain is severe and paracetamol or ibuprofen is not touching it
- The skin behind your ear is red, swollen or tender
- You have diabetes or a weakened immune system and have earache
Immediate action required: call 999 or go to A&E if
- Ear pain with facial weakness or drooping (possible mastoiditis)
- Severe ear pain with high fever, confusion, and stiff neck
- Sudden complete hearing loss
What to do next
Not sure whether earache needs a doctor? These are your options, cheapest and fastest first.
Questions people ask about earache
Reducing the chance of it coming back
- Dry ears thoroughly after swimming — tilt head to drain water
- Don't insert cotton buds — ears are self-cleaning
- Treat colds and allergies promptly to prevent ear complications
- Use earplugs when swimming if prone to ear infections
Conditions this can be part of
Listed alphabetically, not by likelihood — this page does not tell you which one you have.
- Glue ear
- Otitis externa
- Otitis media
- TMJ disorder
Sources and further reading
This page was written from the following published guidance. All links checked 26 August 2026.
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