The service cost £19.90 which includes a consultation with a healthcare professional  and provision of antibiotics. 

The service is suitable for adults and children from the age of 1. 

An ear infection is an infection that affects either the outer ear – known as the otitis externa or the middle ear – known as the otitis media. Ear infections are quite common, they can affect people of all ages, especially 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.

The most common cause of ear infections is water becoming trapped in the ear. This creates the ideal warm and moist environment for bacteria to grow and thrive. The resulting infection is then usually an outer ear infection in the ear canal called swimmer’s ear.

A middle ear infection is usually the result of a bacterial or viral infection reaching the ear causing inflammation. The immune system moves to clear the infection resulting in swelling and fluid build-up that overwhelms the ear tubes responsible for drainage, causing pressure and pain. Similarly, to a middle ear infection.

An inner ear infection is often from a viral or bacterial infection getting into the inner ear through the sinus system that connects the ears, nose, and throat.

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

You will generally feel pain, discomfort, a feeling of fulness in the ear and possibly slight pus-like discharge from the affected ear(s).

 There are  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

Some ear infections will not require treatment and will resolve on their own in one to two weeks. If the condition is particularly uncomfortable, painful, or severe, treatment may be required. Severe ear infections should be treated as soon as possible to prevent complications such as long-term hearing loss.

In severe ear infections, antibiotic ear drops can be used. Our pharmacist will first need to discern whether the infection is viral or bacterial. If bacterial, antibiotic ear drops may be prescribed. The type of antibiotic ear drops will depend on clinical judgement and your condition.

No,  you should contact your GP if you think you may have an ear infection. 

The pharmacist will look inside the  ear with a tool called an otoscope, a tiny flashlight with a magnifying lens. A healthy eardrum will  looks sort of clear and pinkish-gray. An infected one will look red and swollen.

Cetraxal ear drops containing antibiotic ciprofloxacin  or Cetraxal Plus ear drops containing   a combination of  antibiotics Ciprofloxacin and Fluorocinolone.