Overview
Otitis externa (swimmer's ear) is infection of the ear canal, typically after water exposure, cotton bud use or eczema, causing pain on touching the ear and discharge.
Otitis media is infection behind the eardrum, often following a cold, causing deep pain, muffled hearing and sometimes sudden relief with discharge when the drum perforates. ChatDoc assesses adults aged 18 and over only.
When to seek urgent medical help
- • Swelling, redness or tenderness of the bone behind the ear - emergency
- • Severe headache, neck stiffness, facial weakness or dizziness
- • Sudden hearing loss without pain
Symptoms and signs
- Ear pain, sometimes severe, worse at night or when lying down
- Pain on pulling the ear lobe (suggesting canal infection)
- Discharge from the ear, sometimes smelly or yellow
- Reduced or muffled hearing and a blocked feeling
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- Itch in the ear canal, especially in recurrent cases
Management and treatment
Ear canal infections respond to antibiotic-steroid ear drops, while middle ear infections in adults often settle without antibiotics; a delayed prescription is frequently the safest approach.
Your ChatDoc doctor takes a structured history, identifies which type of infection fits your symptoms, prescribes accordingly and advises when in-person examination is essential.
Prescription treatment options
Antibiotic-steroid ear drops
First-line treatment for otitis externa, clearing infection and swelling of the canal.
Oral amoxicillin
Used for otitis media with fever, severe symptoms or symptoms failing to improve after 2-3 days.
Acetic acid ear drops
Mild antimicrobial option for early or mild ear canal infection.
Analgesia and aural care advice
Regular pain relief plus ear-drying and prevention advice to avoid recurrence.
Any prescription is issued only after a doctor has reviewed your case and considers the treatment safe and appropriate for you.
Your online Ear Infections assessment
- 1
Tell us about your concern
Share symptoms, past treatments, medicines and relevant health information.
- 2
Upload clear photos
Upload photos of your concern where applicable.
- 3
Doctor reviews your case
Technology helps organise your answers, but every assessment and prescription decision is made by a doctor, who may message you if they need more information.
- 4
Get your personalised plan
A personalised prescription is issued if treatment is clinically appropriate.
Prognosis and outlook
Otitis externa improves within 48-72 hours of drops and clears within a week. Most middle ear infections resolve in 3-7 days, with hearing returning to normal over a few weeks.
Recurrent infections, persistent hearing loss or a perforation that does not heal need ENT review.
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This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Always seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. ChatDoc is not an emergency service. Call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) for life-threatening emergencies or 111 for urgent non-emergency help. Do not wait for an online reply.