Child ear infection treatment, Essex | Reliance Pharmacy group

Pharmacy First - Acute otitis Media

Child with earache? Get them seen today, free on the NHS

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons young children are unwell, and they usually follow a cold. Signs include ear pain, a temperature, irritability and sometimes fluid from the ear. Most cases settle within three days, but some need treatment, and our pharmacists can check.

Who can come in

Children and young people aged 1 to 17. Babies under 1, and any child who is very unwell, floppy, has a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade or swelling behind the ear, need urgent medical care, and the pharmacist will say so immediately.

What happens

The pharmacist examines the ear with an otoscope, the same instrument a GP uses, and checks the eardrum. Depending on what they see, they'll advise on pain relief, supply anaesthetic ear drops, or supply antibiotics under NHS rules where the infection is severe or not settling. Everything is recorded and your GP practice is informed.

Comfort at home

Regular paracetamol or ibuprofen in the right dose for your child's age does more for earache than anything else. Keep them drinking. If the pain hasn't eased after three days, or your child gets worse, come back or call 111.

Get seen today

Use the Book Appointment button on this page, or call your local Reliance Pharmacy branch.

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Other Services

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Pharmacy First - Urinary Tract Infection

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Travel Health Vaccination

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Contraceptive Pill Repeat Supply

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Mounjaro Injections - (Price per Strength/Dose)

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