See a doctor within a few days, or sooner if you have severe pain, fever above 102°F, or fluid draining from your ear
An ear infection needs to be diagnosed by a doctor — you cannot tell from symptoms alone whether you have one, what type it is, or whether it needs treatment. Call your primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or a walk-in clinic and describe your symptoms. Many practices can see you the same day or next day. If you have severe pain, high fever, or drainage, go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room instead of waiting for an appointment.
Do not put anything in your ear — no cotton swabs, no drops, no cleaning — until a doctor has looked inside. Even over-the-counter ear drops can make things worse if the eardrum is perforated (torn). If you have drainage, gently wipe away what comes out on its own, but do not probe or flush.
Key Takeaways
- Contact a doctor within a few days; go to urgent care or the emergency room if you have severe pain, fever above 102°F, or fluid draining from your ear.
- The doctor will look inside your ear with an otoscope (a small lighted instrument) to see whether an infection is present and what type it is.
- Not all ear infections need antibiotics — many viral infections and some bacterial infections clear on their own, and antibiotics do not speed recovery in those cases.
- Pain relief, warm compresses, and keeping water out of your ear are the main treatments while you wait for the infection to resolve.
- Hearing loss or balance problems after an ear infection usually go away within weeks, but tell your doctor if they persist.
What happens at the doctor's visit
The doctor will ask how long you have had symptoms, whether you have had recent colds or sore throats, and whether you have had ear infections before. They will take your temperature and look inside your ear using an otoscope — a small handheld instrument with a light and a magnifying lens. This is painless and takes less than a minute.
If the eardrum looks infected or inflamed, the doctor may do a second test called tympanometry, which measures how well the eardrum moves. This test is also painless and takes a few minutes. Together, these tell the doctor what type of infection you have and whether fluid is trapped behind the eardrum.
The doctor will also check your throat and lymph nodes, because ear infections often follow colds or sore throats. If you have signs of a bacterial throat infection, that information helps guide treatment.
Antibiotics: when they are prescribed and when they are not
Not all ear infections are bacterial, and not all bacterial infections need antibiotics. Viral ear infections — which often follow a cold — do not respond to antibiotics and usually clear on their own within a week or two. Bacterial ear infections sometimes clear on their own too, especially in adults. Antibiotics speed recovery only in certain cases, mainly in young children or when the infection is severe.
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take the full course even if you feel better after a few days. Stopping early can allow the infection to return. If you are not prescribed antibiotics, that does not mean the infection is not real — it means your doctor judged that antibiotics would not help you recover faster.
Some doctors prescribe antibiotics cautiously because overuse has led to bacteria that no longer respond to common drugs. Your doctor will weigh the benefits against this risk based on your age, symptoms, and what they see in your ear.
Managing pain and discomfort at home
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce ear pain and fever. Follow the dosing instructions on the package for your age and weight. Many people find that a warm (not hot) compress held against the ear for 10 to 15 minutes helps ease pain — use a heating pad on low, a warm washcloth, or a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel.
Keep water out of your ear while it is infected. When showering, use a cotton ball lightly coated with petroleum jelly to block water, or wear an ear plug designed for swimmers. Do not go swimming or submerge your head in water until the infection has cleared and your doctor says it is safe.
Lying on the unaffected side can reduce pressure and pain. Elevating your head with an extra pillow may also help. Avoid loud noise and sudden pressure changes — do not blow your nose hard, and avoid flying or diving until the infection is gone.
When to contact your doctor again
Call your doctor if pain gets worse after three days, if fever returns after it has gone away, if you develop new symptoms like dizziness or facial weakness, or if drainage from your ear changes color or smell. Also call if you were prescribed antibiotics and do not feel better after three days of taking them — your doctor may need to switch to a different antibiotic.
Some people develop temporary hearing loss or a feeling of fullness in the ear during an infection. This usually goes away as the infection clears and fluid drains. If hearing loss or a muffled feeling persists for more than three weeks after the infection is gone, tell your doctor — they may want to recheck your ear or refer you to an ear specialist.
Preventing ear infections
Wash your hands often and avoid close contact with people who have colds, since ear infections often follow upper respiratory infections. If you swim frequently, dry your ears thoroughly after swimming — tilt your head to each side and gently pull your earlobe to help water drain. Some people use a few drops of rubbing alcohol or a commercial ear-drying solution after swimming.
If you have chronic ear infections, ask your doctor whether you should avoid water in your ears altogether or use custom-fitted earplugs. Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke, which increases the risk of ear infections in both children and adults. If you have seasonal allergies, treating them may reduce ear infections, since allergies can block the tube that drains fluid from the ear.
When ear infections become recurrent
Most people have one or two ear infections in their lifetime and then never have another. But some people have repeated infections — three or more in six months, or four or more in a year. If this happens to you, ask your doctor for a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (called an ENT or otolaryngologist).
The specialist can look for underlying causes, such as enlarged adenoids, allergies, or a problem with the tube that drains the middle ear. Depending on the cause, treatment might include allergy medication, nasal steroid sprays, or in some cases a minor procedure. Recurrent infections are more common in children than adults, but adults can have them too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I treat an ear infection without seeing a doctor?
No. Only a doctor can tell whether you have an ear infection, what type it is, and whether you need treatment. Pain in the ear can come from many causes — some need antibiotics, some do not, and some need a different kind of care entirely. Guessing wrong can delay healing or cause complications.
How long does an ear infection take to go away?
Viral infections usually clear within one to two weeks. Bacterial infections may take longer, especially without antibiotics, but most resolve within two to three weeks. Pain often improves within a few days even as the infection is still clearing. If symptoms persist beyond three weeks, contact your doctor.
Is it safe to fly or swim while I have an ear infection?
No. Flying and diving create pressure changes that can worsen pain and delay healing. Swimming risks pushing water and bacteria deeper into the ear. Wait until your doctor says the infection is cleared before flying or swimming.
What if my ear is draining pus or blood?
Drainage means you need to see a doctor right away — go to urgent care or the emergency room if you cannot reach your regular doctor. Drainage can mean the eardrum has perforated, and you need prompt evaluation to prevent complications and hearing loss.
Do I need to see a specialist or get imaging like a CT scan?
Not for a routine ear infection. A primary care doctor or urgent care provider can diagnose and treat most ear infections. Imaging or specialist referral is needed only if the infection is severe, does not improve with treatment, or keeps coming back.