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My child has an ear infection, what should I do?
Ear infections are common in children and often get better on their own within a few days. Here is what you can do at home and when to get medical help.
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What it is
Ear infections are very common, particularly in children, and often get better on their own within 3 days [3]. They are the most common reason parents bring a child to a doctor, and three out of four children will have at least one by their third birthday [5]. The infection usually affects the middle ear and is called otitis media [5]. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus, which can affect hearing because sound cannot get through the fluid [5].
Symptoms usually start quickly and can include pain inside the ear (earache), a high temperature, difficulty hearing, discharge running out of the ear, a feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear, and itching or scaly skin in and around the ear [3]. Young children and babies may also rub or pull their ear, not react to some sounds, be irritable or restless, be off their food, or keep losing their balance [3]. Other signs include crying more than usual, fluid draining from the ear, trouble sleeping, and balance difficulties [5].
There are different types of ear infections [8]. Middle ear infection (acute otitis media) is an infection in the middle ear [8]. Swimmer’s ear is an infection in the outer ear canal and is different from a middle ear infection [8]. Middle ear infections are usually caused by viruses like colds and flu, while outer ear infections can be caused by something irritating the ear canal, such as eczema, water, or wearing earplugs [3].
What you can do at home
Most ear infections clear up within 3 days, although symptoms can sometimes last up to a week [3]. The body’s immune system can often fight off a middle ear infection on its own, and sometimes antibiotics are not needed [2]. For mild infections, your healthcare provider might recommend watchful waiting or delayed antibiotic prescribing [2]. Watchful waiting means watching and waiting for 2-3 days to see if antibiotics are needed, giving the immune system time to fight the infection [2]. Delayed prescribing means the provider prescribes an antibiotic but suggests you wait 2-3 days before filling the prescription, as your child may recover on their own [2].
To help ease pain and discomfort at home, you can:
- Use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin) [7]
- Remove any discharge by wiping the ear with cotton wool [7]
- Let your child rest and drink extra water or other fluids [6]
- Ask your healthcare provider about over-the-counter medicines for pain or fever, and always use them as directed [6]
There are also things you should not do:
- Do not put anything inside the ear to remove earwax, such as cotton buds or your finger [1]
- Do not let water or shampoo get in the ear [1]
- Do not go swimming while you have an ear infection [1]
- Do not use decongestants or antihistamines, as there is no evidence they help with ear infections [1]
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
See a pharmacist for non-urgent advice if your child is aged 1 to 17 years and you think they have an ear infection, as a pharmacist can give children the same treatments as a GP [1]. See a GP if your child is under 12 months old and you think they have an ear infection, if earache does not get better after 3 days, or if you or your child keep getting ear infections [1].
Ask your doctor for an urgent appointment or get medical advice now if you or your child have symptoms of an ear infection and:
- Feel generally unwell
- Have a very high temperature, or feel hot, cold, or shivery
- Have swelling around the ear
- Have fluid coming out of the ear
- Have a change in hearing or new hearing loss
- Feel sick or are being sick (vomiting), feel dizzy, or have a severe sore throat
- Your child is under 12 months old and has earache in both ears
- Have diabetes, or a heart, lung, kidney, or neurological condition
- Have a weakened immune system (for example, because of chemotherapy) [1]
Get medical advice if you need it — check if it is urgente for a child under 5 years old [1]. Severe middle ear infections or infections that last longer than 2-3 days need antibiotics right away [2]. Severe infections and infections in young babies may require antibiotics [5].
Common questions
Will my child need antibiotics? Not always. The immune system can often fight off a middle ear infection on its own [2]. For mild infections, your healthcare provider might recommend watching and waiting for 2-3 days to see if antibiotics are needed [2]. Severe infections or infections lasting longer than 2-3 days need antibiotics right away [2].
How is an ear infection diagnosed? A GP or pharmacist may use an instrument with a small light and magnifying glass (an otoscope) to look in the ear [9]. Some otoscopes blow a small puff of air into the ear to check for blockages, which could be a sign of an infection [9].
What if my child gets ear infections often? Children who get infections often may need surgery to place small tubes inside their ears [5]. The tubes relieve pressure in the ears so that the child can hear again [5]. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about the best treatment [4].
Sources
[1] NHS — “Ear infections” (2025), section “Don’t”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/ [2] CDC — “Ear Infection Basics”, section “Treatment”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/ear-infection.html [3] NHS — “Ear infections” (2025), section “Ear infections”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/ [4] CDC — “Ear Infection Basics”, section “Ear Infection Basics Key points”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/ear-infection.html [5] MedlinePlus — “Ear Infections” (2025), section “Introducción”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/earinfections.html [6] CDC — “Ear Infection Basics”, section “How to feel better”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/ear-infection.html [7] NHS — “Ear infections” (2025), section “Things you can do to help an ear infection”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/ [8] CDC — “Ear Infection Basics”, section “Overview”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/ear-infection.html [9] NHS — “Ear infections” (2025), section “How an ear infection is diagnosed”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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