An ear infection, otherwise known as acute otitis media, is an infection that affects the middle ear or otitis externa, an infection of the outer ear. Ear infections are very common, they can affect people of all ages but they most commonly occur in children.

Most ear infections do not require any treatment and will clear up on their own within a few days. However, for those who experience severe or recurrent infections, antibiotics are usually required to prevent long-lasting damage to the ear or ears, which can result in hearing loss.

Most symptoms of ear infections start very quickly and clear up, without treatment, within 3 - 7 days. The most common symptoms include:

• Pain inside the ear
• A high temperature of 38C or above
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lethargy
• Difficulty hearing
• Discharge from the ear
• A build-up of pressure inside the ear
• Itching in and around the ear
• Dry, scaly skin in and around the ear

An ear infection can normally be quickly diagnosed by a doctor based on the symptoms you describe and your medical history.

The doctor will usually have a look inside the ears, throat and nasal passage and take your or your child’s temperature to look for clinical signs of an infection.

For those that are regularly affected by ear infections, you are likely to be able to recognise symptoms of an ear infection as soon as it starts to develop.

For mild and transient ear infections, these do not usually require treatment and should clear up on their own within 3 - 7 days.

To manage your symptoms it is recommended that you:

• Take regular painkillers, for example, paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Place a warm or cold flannel on the infected ear
• Regularly remove any discharge from the ear with a clean swab or cotton wool ball

For more severe infections, for example, if your symptoms do not improve after 3 days or you have a very high temperature you are likely to need antibiotics. Antibacterial solutions such as Earcalm, steroids such as Otomize Ear Spray or anti-fungal drops such as Canesten Solution can also be used to relieve symptoms of outer ear infections.

Inner ear infections are difficult to prevent as they are often triggered by cold or the flu. There are however things that can be done to try and prevent infections of the outer ear. These include:

• Avoid cleaning your ears with cotton wool buds or putting your fingers in your ears
• Wear earplugs or a swimming hat over your ears when you swim
• Avoid water or shampoo getting into your ears when you have a shower or bath