Treatment For Ear Infections

An ear infection — also known as otitis externa (outer ear infection) or otitis media (middle ear infection) — can cause significant discomfort, pain, and irritation.

These infections may affect:

• The outer ear and external auditory canal (the passage between the outer ear and the eardrum), or
• The middle ear (the area behind the eardrum, connected to the back of the throat by the Eustachian tube).

Certain environments and activities can increase your risk of developing an ear infection. Ask yourself:

• Have you recently been on holiday in a warm or humid climate?
• Have you been swimming, particularly in pools?
• Have you used a sauna or steam room?
• Have you completed a workout and become very sweaty?
• Do you regularly wear in-ear headphones or earplugs for extended periods?
• Do you use cotton buds or clean your ears excessively?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may have created an ideal environment for bacteria — and in some cases, fungi — to thrive in the ear.

If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, there is a high likelihood that you may be suffering from an ear infection:

• Persistent itching or irritation in and around the ear canal
• Redness and swelling of the outer ear or within the ear canal
• A sensation of pressure or fullness in the affected ear
• Dry, flaky, or peeling skin around the ear canal
• Ear discharge, which may be clear and watery or thick and pus-like (often noticed on the pillow in the morning)
• Pain or tenderness when moving the ear or opening the jaw
• Enlarged or tender lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw
• Reduced hearing or a blocked sensation in the ear (typically temporary)

These symptoms may indicate otitis externa (outer ear infection), otitis media (middle ear infection), or a fungal ear infection.

Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential to guide effective treatment.

If you are experiencing any of the above, we recommend booking a consultation.

During your appointment, one of our GMC-registered doctors will carry out a thorough clinical assessment, including an aural swab to collect a sample from the ear canal. This sample will be sent to a specialist microbiology laboratory for analysis to identify the underlying cause of the infection — whether bacterial or fungal.

Based on the laboratory findings, a targeted course of antibiotics or antifungal treatment will be prescribed to ensure effective resolution of the infection. You will also be booked in for a follow-up review to assess your response to treatment and confirm that the infection has fully cleared.