Earwax Build-Up & Mild Earache
Managing Earwax & Earache
Most earaches are caused by minor infections or wax build-up.
Symptoms:
- Muffled hearing or ear discomfort.
- Feeling of fullness in the ear.
- Occasional ringing in the ear (tinnitus).
Self-care options:
- Use olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops or over-the-counter ear drops to soften wax.
- For mild ear pain, take paracetamol or ibuprofen.
When to seek help:
- Hearing loss persists after using ear drops for 3-5 days.
- Severe pain or discharge from the ear.
Pathways in South East London:
- Community Ear Care Services are available for persistent wax build-up. Speak to your pharmacist or contact us via AccuRx for a referral.
More information: NHS Earwax
