What’s the Best Ear Infection Treatment for Adults and Children?

Ear infections are uncomfortable and sometimes painful. While anybody can develop an ear infection, they’re more common in children. 

Many ear infections resolve on their own. But antibiotics can help most ear infections get better faster. Let’s take a look at the best treatments for ear infections.

What is an ear infection?

There are three types of ear infections: outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

Outer ear infection (otitis externa) 

Outer ear infections, or otitis externa, affect the ear canal. These infections are also called swimmer’s ear. They cause pain, redness, and discharge of the ear canal and sometimes of the outside of the ear. 

Middle ear infection (otitis media) 

Middle ear infections, or otitis media, are what most people think of when they picture an ear infection. They’re an infection that develops behind the eardrum and causes fever, pain, and hearing changes. 

Children are more likely to develop otitis media. Their eustachian tubes — or tubes that connect the ears to the throat — are flatter than adult eustachian tubes. This can make it harder for fluid to drain out. When fluid builds up in the ear, an infection may come next. 

Inner ear infection (labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis) 

Inner ear infections, or labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, affect the inner structures of the ear, like the inner ear canals, cochlea, and vestibular nerve. These structures help the body perceive movement as well as sound. 

Inner ear infections are less common than the other two types of ear infections. They’re usually caused by viruses. They cause uncomfortable symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and dizziness. But they’re uncommon.

How are ear infections treated? 

You should seek medical care if you think you or your child could have an ear infection. Your healthcare team can look in your ear and see if you have an outer or middle ear infection. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Swimmer’s ear: Did you know there are three types of ear infections: outer, middle, and inner? People of all ages can get outer ear infections (swimmer’s ear), especially in warmer months.

• Middle ear infections: Children are more likely to get middle ear infections (otitis media). But adults can get middle ear infections, too. 

• Inner ear infections: Inner ear infections are uncommon and usually go away on their own. But they can cause uncomfortable symptoms, here’s how to find relief.

Your ear infection treatment depends on the type of ear infection you have. For outer and middle ear infections, treatment often includes antibiotics and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. 

However, treating an ear infection isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Your age, symptoms, and infection type come into play when deciding whether you need an antibiotic for an ear infection.

Below, we cover seven ways to treat an ear infection.

1. Watchful waiting

If your child has mild symptoms of a middle ear infection, their healthcare team may recommend the “watch-and-wait” approach.

This involves waiting 2 to 3 days to see if their symptoms improve without an antibiotic. Most ear infections are actually caused by viruses, so antibiotics won’t help your child fight off the infection. It’s impossible to tell whether an ear infection is from a virus or bacteria just by looking at the eardrum. There may be other clues that can point to a bacteria or virus as the culprit. But, sometimes, it’s not possible to know for sure. 

Waiting 2 days gives the immune system a chance to fight off a virus. If symptoms get better and the ear doesn’t look as swollen, that means a virus was causing the infection. 

If things aren’t getting better, then the infection is more likely from bacteria — and it’s time to start antibiotics. The watch-and-wait strategy could be right for you if you have symptoms like:

• Mild ear pain

• A temperature lower than 102.2°F

• Symptoms lasting less than 2 days 

However, as a parent, you need to be comfortable with this approach. Some parents prefer to opt for antibiotics right away, and this is OK too.

Adults can sometimes use a “watchful waiting” approach if they have a middle ear infection (otitis media).

2. OTC pain relievers

Pain relievers won’t treat the underlying cause of an ear infection. But they can help ease pain and discomfort from an ear infection.

Oral OTC pain relievers can help ease pain and fever from any type of ear infection. Examples of these are acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). 

Keep in mind: Ibuprofen should generally be avoided in children younger than 6 months. Children shouldn’t take aspirin because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome. This is a dangerous condition that can cause brain swelling, liver damage, and other serious complications.

3. Antibiotics for kids

Many antibiotics can treat middle ear (otitis media) infections in kids. 

Amoxicillin is a first-choice antibiotic for treating middle ear infections in kids. It comes as tablets, capsules, and an oral suspension (liquid). Amoxicillin dosages in kids are based on body weight, but it’s often taken by mouth 2 times a day. Treatment usually lasts 10 days, but your child’s symptoms should start to improve within about 3 days.

Augmentin (amoxicillin / clavulanate) is a go-to medication for kids who have taken amoxicillin in the past 30 days. It’s also a good choice if your child has pink eye and an ear infection at the same time. 

If your child has a penicillin allergy, they’ll need to take a different antibiotic like azithromycin or cefdinir.

Your child may need antibiotic ear drops if they have ear tubes due to frequent ear infections. Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone) and ofloxacin are two examples.

4. Antibiotics for adults

Adults with middle ear infections often need to start taking antibiotics right away. This can help prevent potential complications down the line. 

Amoxicillin is a first-choice antibiotic for adults with otitis media. It’s typically taken by mouth 2 to 3 times daily for 5 to 10 days. Your symptoms should start to improve within 3 days after starting it. Augmentin is a common alternative.

Adults with a penicillin allergy will need different antibiotics like, cefdinir, cefpodoxime, or azithromycin.

5. Ear drops

Adults and children with swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) usually need treatment with ear drops. You may need to use antibiotic ear drops like Floxin (Oxflacin) or a combination ear drop that contains both antibiotics and a steroid like ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone (Ciprodex). The steroids help calm inflammation in the ear canal. This can reduce pain and make it easier for antibiotics to get into the ear. 

Acetic acid ear drops can also help with swimmer’s ear. These are mild antiseptics. They’re often combined with steroids to help calm inflammation and fight off the ear infection.

Adults and children may need to take oral antibiotics if they don’t get better with antibiotic ear drops.

6. Cough and cold medicines

Cough and cold medications won’t cure a middle ear infection. But they may relieve congestion and stuffiness if you have a cold along with your ear infection. This may make you more comfortable. 

Experts don’t recommend cough and cold medications for children younger than age 4. 

7. Natural and home remedies for an ear infection

There are some simple things you can do at home to keep yourself comfortable, including:

• Drinking lots of fluids 

• Getting plenty of rest

• Applying a warm or cool compress to your outer ear if you have otitis externa

• Adjust your sleeping position so you don’t sleep on the side with an ear infection

Don’t use ear candles if you have an ear infection. This involves placing a lit candle inside the ear in an attempt to remove earwax or other buildup. This practice can cause serious side effects, such as burns or a ruptured eardrum.

You shouldn’t put cotton swabs (like Q-tips) in your ears either. It can be tempting to try and remove discharge. But cotton swabs can actually make things worse by irritating your ear canal and pushing debris further back into your canal.

When should you seek medical care for an ear infection?

Sometimes, ear infections can lead to more serious infections and may cause complications down the road. Getting treatment can help you avoid complications and feel better faster. It’s a good idea to get care within 24 to 48 hours of developing ear infection symptoms. 

But you should reach out to a healthcare professional right away for immediate help if you or your child experience:

• Fever

• Hearing loss

• Fluid, pus, or discharge from the ear

• Eye redness or discharge

• Swelling, redness, or pain behind the ear

• Headaches

How can you prevent ear infections in the first place?

You can prevent middle ear infections by staying up-to-date with vaccines. Studies show that pneumonia and flu vaccines may help prevent otitis media. Pneumonia vaccines protect against common bacteria that cause ear infections. Meanwhile, flu vaccines protect against viruses that may lead to ear infections. The Hib vaccine (ActHIB, Hiberix, PedvaxHIB) can also help.

You can prevent swimmer’s ear by not getting water in your ears. Make sure to dry the outside of your ears after swimming. 

Washing your hands often with soap and water can prevent the spread of germs and lower your risk of picking up viruses that cause middle and inner ear infections. 

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Written by:

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in Florida. She has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 15 years and is currently a medical writer.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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