Ear infection - what's the best thing I can buy?

[NorthEastNancy]

I absolutely can't get to a GP until probably Friday because of work and I have a really painful ear. My lymph node behind it is swollen and I already want to remove my head with a spoon

It started early this morning. I've been using ear spray from my last infection that I got from the Walk In but it's been open for at least a year 🙈

What miracle cure can I buy please?

I always find a hot water bottle really soothing with ear ache. Just make sure you don't make it too hot. I suffer with ear ache a lot and this is always the first thing I use.

Weirdly I don't have one but I can grab one at lunch time tomorrow 😍

Painkillers.

keep sinus clear as well - I use a sinus salt water flush.

I find a hot water bottle helps.

Ibuprofen and paracetamol and go to a pharmacy tomorrow ask for them to have a look.

See if you can get to a pharmacy on your lunchbreak - I think ear infections in adults are one of those things the chemist can prescribe for.

Sorry but I wouldn’t mess around with an ear infection; you may be able to get antibiotics from certain pharmacies, if not then you should see a gp asap.
Maybe I’m just a bit funny about it as my great grandfather died of a brain abcess caused by an untreated ear infection (sadly just before antibiotics became commonly use in the UK)!
Also my Dad is now deaf due to surgery he’s had thanks to repeated ear infections.

I got ab spray from the advanced practitioner nurse last week for ear infection. Got appointment same afternoon, which is unusual in our surgery but may reflect the priority ear infections are given.

I wouldn't leave an ear infection untreated. This is your hearing you're dicing with

Boots in some branches, ask the pharmacist to look in your ear.

Try a pharmacy, I took my 8 year old last week with the same and she got antibiotics no problems.

Agree with others go to a pharmacy. You should get it looked at - can be serious and best treated reasonably rapidly.

Thanks everyone

I'm going to go to a walk in centre tomorrow (i can get away from work at lunch) as I'm more swollen now. It feels like a big fat tube

I had to go to hospital once in Turkey and the doctor put something in my ear - a sort of ribbon with what I assume was antibiotic cream on it. Cost me a bomb but sorted it quite quickly

Some pharmacies can prescribe antibiotics now.

I've just messaged my friend. Her husband is a pharmacist - he said he wouldn't touch me because of the swelling and would send me to the walk in 😫

Honestly op it’s inconvenient but it’ll be more inconvenient to lose your hearing or get seriously ill. I can sit on a chesty cold but if it’s earache or toothache I am getting seen the same day. Both are excruciating and can turn nasty quickly. No point stuffing drops or more stuff in there, just get antibiotics asap and save yourself the pain and complications.

I have a chronic ear condition that flares occasionally and can be very painful. I use Ear Calm that can be bought OTC. It’s saved me many times. Hot water bottle or a hot mug is really soothing. Painkillers regularly. However, don’t assume you won’t need antibiotics.

Pharmacists will only prescribe antibiotics for ear infections for under 18s - as I found to my frustration recently!

in addition to whatever antibiotic you can get I recommend the codeine and ibuprofen tablets you can get over the counter as a painkiller.

I'm definitely going to the walk in centre this afternoon. No relief 3 days in from all the at home stuff

Rhe side of my face and ear are rock hard. Not hot though which I'm glad about. I'm struggling to get any of the drops in as it's so closed up.

Fingers crossed I can get sorted!

You can get generic Otomize online from any number of the "online doctor" pharmacies.

How did you get on @NorthEastNancy ?

FYI Pharmacists can only treat children aged between 1 and 18. Hope you feel better op

Apparently it's "wonderfully inflamed"

I got antibiotics for a week and another antibiotic spray. I could have kissed him. I'm currently regretting my shower and hair wash (although I needed them) as, although I tried to keep the water out - i wasn't successful and it's thumping again 😭

Ouch, that sounds painful OP. I'd give the hair washing a swerve for a few days until it's starting to heal.