Earache Service for Children (1-17 Years)
Earache is one of the most common reasons parents seek help for their child, and it can be distressing for both child and parent alike. At Hubert Figg Pharmacy, our Earache Service allows children aged 1 to 17 to be assessed by our pharmacist and, where clinically appropriate, treated on the spot, without the wait for a GP appointment.
What Causes Earache in Children?
Earache in children is most often caused by an ear infection, known medically as acute otitis media, which happens when the middle ear becomes infected and inflamed, often following a cold or other upper respiratory infection. Children are particularly prone to ear infections because the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat, called the eustachian tube, is shorter and more horizontal than in adults, making it easier for infection to spread. Earache can also be caused by build-up of ear wax, a foreign object in the ear, or referred pain from teething or a sore throat.
Signs to Look Out For
Younger children who cannot describe their symptoms may show earache in other ways, so it helps to know what to watch for.
| Sign | What It May Indicate |
|---|---|
| Pulling or rubbing at the ear | Common in babies and toddlers who cannot yet explain where it hurts |
| Fussiness, poor feeding, or disturbed sleep | General discomfort often linked to ear pain, especially when lying down |
| Mild fever | Frequently accompanies an ear infection |
| Fluid or discharge from the ear | May suggest the eardrum has ruptured, which usually still settles with treatment |
| Reduced hearing or a feeling of blocked ears | Can occur when fluid builds up behind the eardrum |
How Our Earache Service Works
Our Earache Service is delivered under NHS Pharmacy First, a service available through participating community pharmacies in England. Acute earache in children aged 1 to 17 is one of the seven established Pharmacy First clinical pathways, allowing our pharmacist to assess and, where appropriate, treat your child without a prior GP appointment. Our pharmacist will examine your child’s ears, ask about the history and severity of symptoms, and screen for any red flags that need more urgent attention. Treatment follows the relevant clinical pathway, and where a bacterial infection is likely and treatment is clinically appropriate, antibiotics can be supplied directly under the relevant protocol, saving you a separate trip to collect a prescription.
Who Can Use This Service
This service is available to children aged 1 to 17 years with symptoms of acute earache or a suspected ear infection. Babies under 12 months, and children with certain underlying health conditions or more complex symptoms, are usually best assessed by a GP, and our pharmacist will always refer on if that is the safer option for your child.
| Service | Cost | Age Range |
|---|---|---|
| Earache Assessment and Treatment (NHS Pharmacy First) | Free (NHS-funded, where clinically eligible) | 1 to 17 years |
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Bring your child along and our pharmacist will start by asking about how long the earache has lasted, how severe it is, and whether there have been any other symptoms such as fever, a cold, or discharge from the ear. They will examine the ear using an otoscope to look at the eardrum, and use this alongside your child’s symptoms and history to decide on the most appropriate next step, whether that is reassurance and self-care advice, antibiotic treatment, or referral to a GP for further assessment.
When to Seek Urgent Help
Most earache in children settles with simple pain relief and, where needed, a short course of antibiotics. However, you should seek urgent medical attention if your child has a very high fever, severe headache with a stiff neck, swelling or redness behind the ear, severe pain that is not settling, or if your baby is under 3 months old and has a fever, as these can be signs of a more serious infection needing immediate assessment. Further general guidance on ear infections in children is available from the NHS.
About the NHS Pharmacy First Service
NHS Pharmacy First allows participating community pharmacies in England to assess and manage certain common conditions, including supplying appropriate medicines where the clinical pathway allows. The seven established Pharmacy First clinical pathways cover acute ear infections in children aged 1 to 17, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in eligible women, with age and eligibility criteria applying to each. You can read more about how the NHS Pharmacy First service works, and the full service specification is published by NHS England.
Why Choose Hubert Figg Pharmacy?
We know how worrying it can be when your child is in pain, and how hard it can be to get a same-day GP appointment. Our pharmacists are trained to assess and treat earache quickly and confidently, giving you peace of mind and, where needed, treatment on the same visit.
Book Your Appointment
If your child is showing signs of earache, book an appointment with our pharmacist today, or get in touch if you have any questions first.