Earache lasting a week

Persistent earache may follow a cold or sinusitis, arise from wax pressing in the canal, or reflect inflammation of the outer or middle ear. Pain can also come from the jaw, teeth, or throat rather than the ear itself. A week of symptoms does not identify the cause, so an examination is more useful than guessing from pain alone.

Tell the clinician whether the pain is constant, whether touching the ear changes it, and whether you have blocked hearing, ringing, dizziness, fever, sore throat, dental pain, or fluid.

Keep the ear dry and avoid swimming. Do not insert cotton buds or other objects, and do not use drops unless they are known to be safe for your ear. A warm compress may be soothing. Use a suitable over-the-counter pain reliever according to its label, taking account of pregnancy, stomach or kidney problems, allergies, and other medicines. Do not use leftover antibiotics.

Book a prompt appointment for pain that has lasted a week. Seek urgent care for swelling behind the ear, facial weakness, severe dizziness, sudden major hearing loss, a severe headache, confusion, or repeated vomiting. Fever with increasing pain or pus-like discharge should be reviewed promptly.

What did you find on examination, and could the pain be referred from my jaw, teeth, throat, or sinuses? Do I need treatment for infection or wax? Which pain relief is safe for me? How soon should I return if hearing or pain changes?