Pharmacy First – Earache (Acute otitis media)

Earache is a common condition that we have all endured at some point! Whether it was painful and hard to cope with, or your symptoms were mild and not worth the hassle. This condition can be a real nuisance. Normally, earache will resolve itself naturally in a few days. But occasionally this condition can be incredibly stubborn. Now thanks to NHS Pharmacy First which is a free NHS service, earache can be managed directly by Pierremont Pharmacy saving patients the “earache”, of needing to call up a GP and book an appointment to address the condition.

This condition which is sometimes referred to as ear pain can be simply described as just that! Although there is more to it, that is the short version of the most common symptoms for this disabling condition. In this blog, we will look at the symptoms, complications, and treatment options for this condition. But if you are suffering from earache and want to have it resolved pronto, then book an appointment with our pharmacist under the Pharmacy First scheme and we can treat the condition ASAP:

• Pain around the ear
• Toothache
• Change in hearing
• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Discharge from the ear
• Scaly skin in and around the ear
• Irritated skin around the ear
• Loss of balance

As briefly mentioned, the main symptom of earache is pain in and around the ear. Ear pain will in almost every case of earache be the main symptom. Accompanying symptoms will then vary depending on what is causing your earache. Obvious symptoms to look out for include discharge from the ear which is indicative of an infection. This can be a massive sign, especially for young children who won’t be able to spot an infection themselves. If you think your child has earache book an appointment via the new NHS Pharmacy First service:

Several different underlying conditions can trigger symptoms of earache. Young children are particularly vulnerable to earache due to teething, which can cause them a lot of discomfort. However, it could also be caused by a build-up of earwax. Worse still the child could even have an object stuck in their ear. Sometimes it can be hard to determine the cause of a child’s earache. If this sounds like you, remember that NHS Pharmacy First, which is a FREE service, is available at Pierremont Pharmacy.

Commonly, earache is caused by an ear infection. This can be surprisingly painful, rendering most people bed-bound whilst trying to recover. An alternative cause of earache could be dental issues or toothache: it’s common for toothache to share some symptoms with earache. Often those with toothache also suffer from headache or in this case earache. An explanation for this is due to the proximity of your ears to the rest of your face, sharing the same nerve tract. This is not a complete list of all the causes of earache, but we have listed the most common.

NB: If you need more specialist medical interventions our pharmacist will refer you on.

Worried about earache? Book a consultation through the FREE, NHS Pharmacy First service with our pharmacist:

https://www.pierremontpharmacy.com/pharmacy_first_broadstairs

Despite earache being a relatively simple condition it has the potential to cause significant complications for your hearing. Earache can deteriorate due to an infection spreading, or an underlying condition not being addressed. One common complication of earache is tinnitus. This condition although seemingly harmless will create a permanent ringing or buzzing sound in your ear.

We have briefly mentioned that you can (albeit very rarely) damage your hearing due to earache. Perforated eardrums, ear infections and inflammation can all lead to varying levels of hearing loss. An ear infection can cause temporary or permanent damage to the middle of your ear. Recurring infections will cause a build-up of fluid in the middle section of your ear. In turn, causing permanent hearing loss. Ear infections can also in rare cases spread to other areas of the body. Typically, the bone behind the ear or the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Both of which, (although to state again rare!) can be dangerous to your overall health. Inflammation of your ear will cause temporary hearing loss until the inflammation subsides. Perforated eardrums typically cause temporary hearing loss in the affected ear although the hearing loss could be present for up to 6 months.

If you have the symptoms of earache and it’s not recovering on its own, book a consultation with our pharmacy under the FREE, NHS Pharmacy First service.

This free, new, NHS service can in prompt time assist those suffering from minor health conditions like earaches, directly from their local community pharmacy. By simply popping into a pharmacy like Pierremont Pharmacy, you can in no time have these conditions addressed and provided treatment options in a single trip. Instead of the constant back and forth to see a GP. In addition, this service covers six other very common health conditions. We hope that in the future it will be expanded upon to cover even more health conditions so that patients can have easier and more direct access to healthcare.

Learn more about Pharmacy First >

Feel free to book an appointment or simply pop in and speak to our award-winning pharmacy team:

There can be no doubt that earache is a common health condition, though it can often be overlooked and dismissed. Simply treating the symptoms over what is actually causing it. Even though sometimes this is true. Earache remains a tell-tale sign of underlying health problems with our ears. Infection for example can lead down a road to permanent hearing loss. This is why it’s vital not to ignore the symptoms of earache. By and large the complications caused by earache can be easily avoided by simply booking an appointment to speak to our pharmacist who can then make any necessary treatments or referrals that are necessary. Now thanks to NHS Pharmacy First you can easily access excellent healthcare within convenient reach! NHS Pharmacy First service:

The most effective and current treatment option for earache is NHS Pharmacy First! However, beyond this some treatment options could include over-the-counter ear drops that target the painful symptoms of earache. Symptomatic treatment could also include home remedies such as placing a warm flannel onto the affected ear. However, in cases of more serious earache, you may be prescribed medication usually in the form of antibiotics which can help relieve stubborn earache. This is not an exhaustive list of potential treatments for earache. However, you could be appropriately prescribed any of these after a free, NHS Pharmacy First consultation.