--- title: "Ear infection: pharmacy, GP or 111? | HealthAnswers" description: "Most ear infections settle in about three days. Pharmacy First can assess some earache. Babies, discharge, or swelling around the ear need a GP, 111 or…" url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/ear-infection/ robots: noindex --- # Ear infection: pharmacy, GP or 111? | HealthAnswers Health A–Z Most ear infections settle in about three days. Pharmacy First can assess some earache. Babies, discharge, or swelling around the ear need a GP, 111 or 999. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [Dr Neil Singh MBChB - nMRCGP](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/neil-singh/) · GMC 7039648 Reviewed 13 August 2026 ## Quick answer Do I need antibiotics for an ear infection? Most ear infections get better within about three days with pharmacy pain relief. Antibiotics are not always needed. In England, Pharmacy First can assess some earache — ask, because eligibility applies. Use a GP or 111 for babies, discharge, or pain lasting more than three days. Call 999 for swelling around the ear with fever, or sudden severe dizziness with vomiting. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Ear infection, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 8 sections ## Key facts about ear infection - Most ear infections get better within about three days. - Antibiotics are not always needed — many middle-ear infections are viral. - In England, Pharmacy First can assess some earache; eligibility applies, so ask. - Do not put cotton buds, oil or objects in the ear unless a clinician advises. - Swelling around the ear with fever, or sudden severe dizziness with vomiting, is urgent. ## Should I use this page, or skip it? Use this page if an ear hurts and you want to know whether a pharmacist, GP or 111 is first. Skip it and call 999 if there is swelling around the ear with fever, sudden severe dizziness with vomiting, or a child who is struggling to breathe or unresponsive. This page cannot look in the ear or prescribe drops. [Earache](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/earache/) has many causes. An infection is one of them — [earwax](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/earwax-build-up/) is another. ## What is an ear infection and what does it feel like? An ear infection is inflammation in the outer canal, the middle ear behind the eardrum, or — less often — the inner ear. Middle-ear infections are especially common in children after a [cold](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/common-cold/). Pain, fever, muffled hearing and a feeling of fullness are typical. Most clear within about three days. Babies may pull the ear, feed poorly or seem irritable rather than point to the pain. Discharge can mean the eardrum has leaked — that still needs a clinician, not cotton buds. ## Can I see a pharmacist first? Often yes for earache, but not for every age or every ear. In England, Pharmacy First can assess some middle-ear infections. Eligibility applies — ask rather than assuming, especially for babies, who often need a GP. The pharmacist checks for red flags, then treats, advises self-care, or sends you on. Scotland has NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, Wales a Common Ailments Service, and Northern Ireland Pharmacy First NI. Find a GPhC-registered pharmacy on [Pick My Pharmacy](https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/). ## Do I need antibiotics? Usually not for a typical middle-ear infection. NICE guidance is that most children improve in about three days without them. Antibiotics can still be right if you are very unwell, symptoms last, there is discharge, or you are at higher risk. Outer-ear infections may need drops rather than tablets. If you are given a course, take it as directed. Do not share leftover [antibiotics](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/antibiotics/). Pain relief is the main home treatment — not leftover eardrops from last winter. ## How can I ease it at home? [Paracetamol](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/paracetamol/) or [ibuprofen](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/ibuprofen/) from a pharmacy can ease pain and fever. Follow the pack for that person’s age. A warm (not hot) flannel against the ear may help. Wipe away discharge with cotton wool on the outside only. Do not put cotton buds, oil or objects in the ear. Do not swim until a clinician says it is sensible. Decongestants and antihistamines are not useful for ear infections, NHS advice says. ## When is it 111 or 999? Call 999 for swelling around the ear with fever, sudden severe dizziness with vomiting, or a child who is working hard to breathe or unresponsive. Use 111 if pain lasts more than three days, fluid is leaking, hearing changes suddenly, or a baby is unwell and you cannot get a same-day GP slot. In England, Scotland and Wales call 111 (NHS 24 in Scotland). In Northern Ireland there is no general 111 — use GP out-of-hours on [nidirect](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/gp-out-hours-services). See [pharmacy, GP, 111 or A&E](https://healthanswers.co.uk/guides/pharmacy-gp-111-or-ae/) if you are stuck on the door. ## What is the difference between outer and middle ear infection? A middle-ear infection sits behind the eardrum and often follows a cold, with earache, fever and muffled hearing. An outer-ear infection affects the canal — itching, pain when the ear is touched, sometimes after swimming. Inner-ear problems can cause severe dizziness and need medical assessment, not cotton buds. Repeated infections in children should be reviewed by a GP. Temporary muffled hearing is common and usually improves as fluid clears. Persistent hearing problems still need a check, not another wait-and-see weekend with oil. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if swelling, severe dizziness or breathing trouble is already happening — that is urgent care, not a long read. It is not an otoscope, not a grommet clinic, and not the right page for earwax you can still hear through. A baby with fever needs the children’s fever pathway too. ## ! When to see a GP about ear infection See a pharmacist first for many earaches — eligibility applies. See a GP or use NHS 111 if pain lasts more than three days, fluid is leaking from the ear, infections keep returning, or a baby is unwell. Call **999** or go to A&E for swelling around the ear with fever, sudden severe dizziness with vomiting, or a child who is struggling to breathe or unresponsive. ## Common questions about ear infection What are the signs of an ear infection in a baby? Babies cannot tell you their ear hurts. Clues include pulling or rubbing the ear, irritability, poor sleep, being off feeds, a temperature, not reacting to quiet sounds, or losing balance. How they look matters more than the ear itself. Use 111 promptly for a baby under 3 months with fever. Can a pharmacist treat an ear infection in England? Sometimes. Pharmacy First can assess some earache, but eligibility applies — including age — so ask rather than assuming. The pharmacist checks for red flags, then advises self-care, supplies treatment if eligible, or sends you to a GP or 111. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own pharmacy schemes. Do ear infections always need antibiotics? No. NICE guidance is that most children with a middle-ear infection get better in about three days without antibiotics. A clinician may still treat if you are very unwell, symptoms last, or there is discharge. Follow the course you are given. Do not use leftover antibiotics. What is the difference between outer and middle ear infection? A middle-ear infection sits behind the eardrum and often follows a cold, with earache and fever. An outer-ear infection affects the canal — itching, pain when you touch the ear, sometimes after swimming. Inner-ear problems can cause severe dizziness and need medical assessment, not cotton buds. Can an ear infection cause hearing loss? Muffled hearing is common while fluid sits behind the eardrum and usually improves as the infection settles. Persistent hearing problems, especially in children, should be checked. Sudden complete hearing loss is not a wait-and-see symptom — use 111 or urgent care the same day. How can I ease earache at home? Paracetamol or ibuprofen from a pharmacy can ease pain — follow the pack for age. A warm flannel on the ear may help. Stay upright if pressure feels worse lying down. Do not put drops, oil or cotton buds in unless a clinician has looked in the ear and advised it. ## Sources - [NHS — Ear infections](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/) - [NHS — Earache](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/earache/) - [NHS — How pharmacies can help (Pharmacy First)](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/) - [NICE — Otitis media (acute): antimicrobial prescribing (NG91)](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng91)