Ear pain is hard to ignore, and when it strikes a child in the middle of the night, it can feel really frightening. Acute otitis media is a middle ear infection and one of the most common conditions we see through our doors. The good news is you do not need to wait days for a GP. At Anna Pharmacy, our trained pharmacists can assess and treat acute otitis media on the spot through the Pharmacy First scheme. We have branches in Carshalton, Sutton, and Hackbridge, and we serve patients travelling from Croydon, Richmond, Epsom, Stoneleigh, and Wallington.
Our acute otitis media treatment is available at all three Anna Pharmacy branches:
398 Green Wrythe Lane
Carshalton Sutton
SM5 1JF
United Kingdom
186 London Rd, Hackbridge
Wallington
SM6 7FW
United Kingdom
We also welcome patients travelling from the surrounding areas, including Croydon, Richmond, Epsom, Stoneleigh, and Wallington. Whichever branch is most convenient for you, our team is ready to help.
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, the small chamber just behind the eardrum. It usually develops when a cold or respiratory illness causes the Eustachian tube to swell and block, trapping fluid where bacteria or viruses can thrive. The resulting pressure on the eardrum is what causes that distinctive, often severe, ear pain.
Children are much more prone to it than adults, partly because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and drain less efficiently. That said, adults can and do develop it, particularly after a cold or bout of flu.
Symptoms tend to come on quickly and can feel quite intense at first. The most common include:
Younger children cannot tell you their ear hurts, so watch for them tugging or pulling at one ear, being unusually irritable, refusing feeds, or seeming off-balance. Disturbed sleep and a general loss of appetite are also common signs that something is wrong.
Through Pharmacy First, our pharmacists at our Carshalton, Sutton, and Hackbridge branches are trained to assess acute otitis media and provide treatment without you needing a GP referral. This includes prescribing antibiotics where clinically appropriate.
Most cases of acute otitis media resolve on their own within three to five days, and antibiotics are not always necessary. When you visit us, our pharmacist will take the time to assess the severity of symptoms, ask the right questions, and work out the best course of action for you or your child. Whether that means a prescription, over-the-counter pain relief, or simply reassurance and a clear plan for monitoring things at home, we will make sure you leave knowing exactly what to do next.
For more information on the Pharmacy First service and the conditions it covers, visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/pharmacy-first, a clear and reliable source we always point patients towards.
While you are waiting to be seen or if symptoms are mild, these steps can help ease discomfort:
If things are not improving after 48 to 72 hours, or if symptoms feel severe, please come in and see us rather than waiting it out alone.