can the chemist do anything until I can see doctor?

[catis3]

Backstory to why I’m worried.. Three years ago I went completely deaf in my right ear after an inner ear infection, I now wear an hearing aid in that ear.

A week or so ago I woke up and my pillow was damp, I had clear liquid coming out of both my ears, they are very itchy and both have dry flaky skin coming out of them, which go hard and crust over if left alone, enough to almost close up my ear. both sore at the entrance to my ears and feel ‘full’ like someone has their fingers stuck in my ears and everything is sounding like a swimming pool. If I put an ear bud even slightly inside my ears it comes out with the smallest bit of blood on it. No pain whatsoever as in earache or how it would feel with an ear infection.

Been trying and filing to get a doctors appointment and was wondering until I can get an appointment would the chemist be able to do anything?

It sounds like an infection. The pharmacist can prescribe antibiotics, but can you get a doctor's appointment to be properly checked?

In my experience for a possible earinfection no.

If you cant get a gp app I would try 111

Pharmacists can only treat under 18 year olds for ear infections under the pharmacy first scheme unfortunately

It sounds like you need a Dr's appointment but you can go and ask the pharmacist what services they offer. Through Pharmacy First you can get your ears checked (for wax build up etc) but not treated for an infection and your description sounds like an infection.

No. This is an urgent GP appointment - and Walk-In clinic if GP has no emergency appointments by the time you get through.

As others have said, this is an urgent on the day appointment and follow up with 111 for a clinic if you can’t be seen on the day. Don’t wait. Dont be scared to advocate for yourself.

I would give 111 a call now, given your history you need to get treated sooner rather than later - they can either arrange for you to be seen by an out of hours service or ensure your GP gives you an appointment tomorrow.

Ear infections - NHS

Call 111 now.

I had similar and it was otitis media, yours might be otitis externa. I wasn't given any special drugs, just prescription drops that had an antibiotic in them I seem to recall. I was also given Tropex drops which help otitis media and they can be bought over the counter. I'd try that until you can get a doc appt.

It's awful, and your description of being under water is exactly how I felt too. All good again now.