If you have an earache, you can often ease it safely at home for a short time, but ongoing, severe, or worrying symptoms need prompt medical care to rule out infection or other serious problems.

Quick Scoop

  • Use overā€‘theā€‘counter pain relief like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, following the label and avoiding aspirin in underā€‘16s.
  • Apply a warm (or warm/cold alternating) compress to the sore ear for 10ā€“20 minutes to reduce pain and pressure.
  • Sleep with your head elevated and avoid lying on the painful ear to help fluid drain and reduce throbbing.
  • Do not put anything inside the ear (no cotton buds, no ā€œear candling,ā€ no DIY wax removal) and try to keep water out.
  • For ear pain linked to pressure changes (like flying), gentle actions such as chewing gum or swallowing can help equalize pressure.
  • Seek urgent medical or emergency care if you have high fever, swelling around the ear, fluid or blood leaking from the ear, severe dizziness, a bad headache, or hearing loss.

Safe Things You Can Try

  • Pain relievers: Shortā€‘term use of ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce pain and fever; follow dosing instructions and ask a doctor or pharmacist for child doses or if you are pregnant or have other conditions.
  • Warm or cold compresses: A warm washcloth or lowā€‘heat pad over the ear, or alternating warm and cool every 10 minutes, often eases discomfort.
  • Rest and position: Rest, avoid lying on the sore side, and prop your head up on extra pillows or sleep slightly upright to encourage drainage.
  • Hydration and humid air: Drinking fluids and using a humidifier can ease congestion from colds or flu that may be contributing to ear pressure.

Things You Should Avoid

  • Do not insert cotton buds, hairpins, or any objects in the ear, as they can push wax deeper or damage the ear canal or eardrum.
  • Do not try to flush or dissolve earwax at home if you have pain, discharge, a history of eardrum problems, or ear surgery; this should be assessed by a clinician.
  • Do not let water get into a painful ear in the shower, bath, or pool until a doctor has checked it, especially if infection is suspected.

When Itā€™s Likely OK To Watch Briefly

Mild earache for a day or two, especially with a cold, can sometimes be watched at home if:

  • Pain is mild to moderate and improves with simple pain relief.
  • There is no high fever, no fluid coming from the ear, and no severe dizziness or headache.
  • Children stay alert, drinking, and generally behaving close to normal.

If symptoms are not clearly better within 48 hours, or if you are worried at any point, arrange a sameā€‘week visit with a doctor or urgent care.

When To Seek Help Immediately

Contact a doctor or emergency service the same day if:

  • Earache is severe or suddenly much worse.
  • You have pus, blood, or clear fluid leaking from the ear.
  • There is swelling, redness, or tenderness behind or around the ear.
  • You notice new hearing loss, spinning dizziness, trouble walking, or a severe headache.
  • A baby or young child has ear pain plus fever, is very irritable, very drowsy, or not drinking.

This information is general and not a diagnosis. For any earache, especially in children, older adults, or people with other health issues, a licensed health professional should assess the situation in person.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.