How Pharmacy First Treats Earache in Adults and Children
Earache can be intensely painful—especially for young children who can't explain what's wrong. It disrupts sleep, makes concentrating impossible, and often leaves parents wondering whether to visit a GP or wait it out. The good news: Pharmacy First treats earache in children and young people aged 1 to 17 without a GP appointment, and pharmacists in Wakefield can often see you the same day. For adults with earache, our pharmacists can also offer assessment and advice to point you in the right direction.
What Causes Earache?
Earache has several common causes:
- Middle ear infection (acute otitis media) — the most common reason children are seen for ear pain. It happens behind the eardrum, usually after a cold, and can cause fever and hearing changes.
- Outer ear infection (otitis externa) — an infection in the ear canal itself, sometimes called swimmer's ear. It often itches as much as it hurts.
- Earwax build-up — excess wax pressing against the eardrum. More common than people think, and usually very treatable.
- Referred pain — pain from a sore throat, toothache, or jaw tension that you feel in the ear.
- Glue ear — fluid trapped behind the eardrum, more common in children after colds or upper respiratory infections.
- Pressure changes — from flying, altitude changes, or rapid descent when diving.
Children get earache more often than adults because of how their ears are structured. The NHS has detailed information about ear infections and why they're common in children.
If earache lasts more than a few hours, or your child has a high temperature with it, professional assessment is worth having. Read our guide on when to use Pharmacy First instead of booking a GP appointment to understand your options.
How Pharmacy First Treats Earache in Children
Pharmacy First is an NHS-funded service that covers earache as one of seven conditions our pharmacists in Wakefield can assess and treat without a GP referral. This applies to children and young people aged 1 to 17.
The key difference from visiting your GP: you don't need to book an appointment or wait on a list. Walk in during our opening hours, and our pharmacist will see you in a private consultation room. For most patients, this happens the same day or within a few hours. If your child is in discomfort, that matters.
The assessment itself is straightforward. Your pharmacist will ask about the earache—how long it's lasted, whether there's any discharge, if your child has a temperature, and whether hearing has been affected. They'll check your child's medical history and may look inside the ear with an otoscope (a small illuminated instrument). If the symptoms fit Pharmacy First criteria, we can prescribe appropriate medication at no cost to eligible NHS patients.
Find out more about what happens during a Pharmacy First consultation to see what to expect during your visit.
What to Expect at Your Pharmacy First Visit
Walking in the door is often the hardest part—especially with an upset or uncomfortable child. Here's what happens next:
- Check-in — We'll ask a few basic questions and take you to our private consultation room.
- Symptom history — The pharmacist will ask about the pain: when it started, whether it's constant or comes and goes, any fever, sleep disruption, or recent colds.
- Professional look — The pharmacist may gently examine the ear with an otoscope. This is quick and painless.
- Assessment — We'll decide whether the earache fits Pharmacy First criteria (usually it does if there are signs of infection).
- Treatment — If appropriate, we'll prescribe medication. For NHS patients, this is free.
- Self-care advice — We'll explain how to manage pain at home and what to watch for over the next few days.
- Referral if needed — If symptoms suggest something more serious or unusual, we'll refer you to your GP or another service.
The whole appointment usually takes 10–15 minutes. Our priority is getting your child (or you) assessed quickly and feeling more comfortable.
Earache in Adults
Pharmacy First specifically covers earache for children and young people aged 1 to 17. For adults, the landscape is different. Earache in adults is less likely to be a simple infection and more likely to be referred pain—from your jaw, neck, or throat—or earwax impaction.
If you're an adult with earache, your pharmacist can still help:
- Assess your symptoms without needing a GP appointment first
- Discuss what might be causing it — jaw tension, earwax, referred pain, or something else
- Recommend suitable self-care or over-the-counter options — pain relief, earwax softening drops, warm compresses
- Refer you to your GP if prescription treatment or further investigation is needed
Managing Earache at Home
Whether your child is receiving Pharmacy First treatment or you're managing mild earache yourself, these steps often help:
- Pain relief. Speak to your pharmacist about what's suitable for your child's age. For adults, paracetamol or ibuprofen usually works well.
- Warm compress. Hold a warm (not hot) flannel or cloth against the ear for comfort.
- Rest. If your child also has a temperature, rest is important.
- Position. When lying down or sleeping, try propping your child up slightly with pillows. This can ease pressure in the ear.
- Avoid putting anything in the ear. Cleaning ear canals or inserting objects can make things worse. Let medication or drops do the work.
If earache is severe, don't wait for self-care to work—get professional advice quickly. Pain that severe usually means assessment is needed.
When to Seek Urgent Help
Most earache, while uncomfortable, is not an emergency. But seek help promptly if:
- There is discharge (pus or fluid) coming from the ear
- Your child has a very high temperature that won't come down with paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Your child is very drowsy, unusually irritable, or hard to rouse
- There is visible swelling or redness around the ear or behind it
- Hearing is significantly affected
- Symptoms are getting worse instead of better
- Your child is under 1 year old (Pharmacy First doesn't cover under-1s)
If any of these apply, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or go to an urgent care centre. For more on when Pharmacy First is appropriate versus A&E, see our guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pharmacy First Treat Earache in Adults?
Pharmacy First specifically covers earache in children and young people aged 1 to 17. For adults, your pharmacist can still offer assessment, advice, and over-the-counter recommendations, but it's not funded as part of Pharmacy First. If you need prescription treatment, we can assess and refer you to your GP if appropriate.
Do I Need to Book an Appointment?
No. Pharmacy First is a walk-in service. You don't need a referral from your GP or an advance booking. Just come in during our opening hours. Find out what to expect during your consultation.
What If the Earache Is Caused by Something Else?
Earache can have several causes—some are infections, others are not. Our pharmacist will assess your symptoms carefully. If we think the cause needs further investigation (such as a referral to ENT), or if it doesn't fit Pharmacy First criteria, we'll refer you to your GP.
How Quickly Does Treatment Work?
Pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen) usually starts working within 30–60 minutes. If prescribed antibiotics, you'll often feel better within 24–48 hours, but it's important to complete the full course even if you feel better sooner. If symptoms haven't improved after 48 hours or are getting worse, contact your GP.
Is Earache Common in Children?
Yes. Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for childhood visits to healthcare professionals. It's partly because of how children's ears are structured—their eustachian tubes are smaller and more horizontal, so fluid builds up more easily, especially after colds.
Can Earache Clear Up Without Treatment?
Some very mild ear discomfort does improve on its own, especially if it's caused by pressure changes or referred pain. However, if earache is accompanied by fever, discharge, or lasts more than a few hours, professional assessment is important. Speak to a pharmacist if you're unsure whether to seek help.
Should I Take My Child to A&E for Earache?
Most earache doesn't need A&E. Pharmacy First or your GP is the right first step for assessment and treatment. A&E is appropriate if your child has signs of serious infection (very high fever, severe swelling, discharge, significant hearing loss) or if you can't reach your GP or a pharmacist urgently.
What's the Difference Between Outer Ear and Middle Ear Infection?
Middle ear infection (otitis media) happens behind the eardrum. It usually follows a cold, causes ear pain and sometimes fever, and is most common in children. Outer ear infection (otitis externa) is in the ear canal itself. It often comes from water exposure, causes itching and pain, and may have discharge. Both can be assessed through Pharmacy First.
Come In Today
If your child is in pain or you're concerned about earache, don't wait for a GP appointment. Visit Kingfisher Pharmacy at 192 Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 1UE, for a professional assessment and quick treatment. We also offer free local delivery if you need a prescription filled.
No appointment needed—just walk in, or call us on 01924 291898 if you have questions before you visit.