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Acute otitis externa: Pharmacy First treatment summary

Ear pain, itching or discharge in adults: a summary of the Pharmacy First pathway for acute otitis externa in people aged 18 and over, from assessment to self-care

Signs and symptoms
Examine the person with an otoscope. Check for:
● At least one symptom (usually of rapid onset): ear itch, pain or discharge1
● At least two signs: tragal or pinna tenderness; a red, swollen canal, with or without debris or discharge; tender lymph nodes near the ear1
If findings do not fit
● Consider otitis media, impacted wax, a foreign body or a canal skin condition1
Pathway exclusions
● Known or suspected eardrum perforation, or a current or possibly retained grommet: refer to general practice1,2
referral
Urgent same-day assessment (GP, out-of-hours, urgent care or A&E, depending on severity and local access)
● Severe or disproportionate ear pain, severe headache, fever or systemic illness1
● New facial weakness, tongue or shoulder weakness, voice change or new vertigo1,2
● Spreading redness or cellulitis beyond the ear canal1,2
● Fluctuant swelling behind the ear, or the ear pushed forwards1,2
● Diagnostic uncertainty or another concerning feature outside your competence1
A&E
● Suspected necrotising otitis externa: unremitting, disproportionate pain, headache, purulent discharge, granulation tissue, hearing loss, fever or malaise2
● Immunosuppression, uncontrolled diabetes or previous head and neck radiotherapy, with severe pain, persistent discharge or spreading redness2
● Life-threatening emergency: A&E or 9991
Local NHS route (if unavailable, general practice or urgent care)
● Canal swelling that prevents examination or treatment1,2
General practice
● Narrow canal, exostoses, osteoma or ear surgery that hinders drops2
● Treatment failure, or severe or chronic infection2,3
Treatment options
First line
● Acetic acid 2% (over the counter): morning, evening and after swimming or bathing, for up to 7 days3
Second line
● Offer antibiotic ear drops only if OTC acetic acid 2% has failed despite correct use, was not tolerated or is unsuitable, and if the canal is open, and the patient can use drops after a demonstration1
● Topical antibiotic, with or without a corticosteroid, for 7–14 days. Add a corticosteroid for marked inflammation or oedema3
Ear preparation options
● Gentamicin 0.3% or ciprofloxacin 2 mg/mL drops3
● Ciprofloxacin 0.3% with dexamethasone 0.1%, or Cetraxal plus3
● Neomycin, gentamicin or framycetin combined with a corticosteroid3
Self-care and advice
Self-care
● Explain how to use the drops: warm them, lie down with the ear uppermost, instil drops, stay still for 3–5 minutes, then leave the ear open to dry1,3
● Keep the ear dry and avoid swimming until symptoms resolve (at least 7–10 days of treatment)1,3
● No cotton buds, fingers or objects in the ear canal1,3
● Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, if suitable1,3
● Provide patient information: NHS website, ear infections1,4
Safety-netting advice for patient
● Seek urgent help for fever or systemic illness, spreading redness, severe or disproportionate pain, new facial weakness, new vertigo, fluctuant swelling behind the ear or the ear pushed forwards1
● Contact GP if symptoms worsen, have not started to improve within 72 hours, or have not resolved within 2 weeks1
Follow up
Reassess the patient if
● No improvement within 48–72 hours (the pathway says 72) or not resolved after 2 weeks1,3
Record and share
● Tell the GP the outcome, prescribing decision and any follow-up needed1,2
References
1 NHS England. Pharmacy First: acute otitis externa prescribing pathway (adults aged 18 years and over). Final draft v0.12.
2 NHS England. NHS Community Pharmacy Clinical Prescribing Guidance, final draft. Section B2, Acute otitis externa in individuals aged 18 years and over (pages 28–29); paragraph 2.23.
3 NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Otitis externa. Last revised September 2026. Management: acute otitis externa; Prescribing information (topical ear preparations).
4 NHS website. Ear infections.
 

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