Earache & Ear Infection Treatment at Parnell Pharmacy, Bow
Watching your child struggle with ear pain can be distressing, and waiting for a GP appointment only adds to the stress. At Parnell Pharmacy on Roman Road, we provide a fast and reliable earache treatment service in Bow, London E3. Through the NHS Pharmacy First initiative, our pharmacists can clinically assess children’s ear infections and provide the necessary treatment, including antibiotics, without a doctor’s referral.
What Causes Earache in Children?
Earaches in children are often caused by a middle ear infection (Otitis Media), which frequently follows a cold or a sore throat. This happens when the tubes inside the ear become blocked with fluid and mucus, leading to inflammation and pain. While some ear infections are viral and clear up on their own, others are bacterial and require a course of antibiotics to resolve.
Signs Your Child Has an Ear Infection
Younger children may not always be able to explain where the pain is. Look out for these common signs of an ear infection in Mile End and Bow:
- Tugging, rubbing, or pulling at the ear.
- Irritability, persistent crying, or difficulty sleeping.
- A high temperature (fever).
- Difficulty hearing or not responding to sounds.
- Fluid or discharge leaking from the ear.
- Loss of balance or clumsiness.
How the Pharmacy First Earache Service Works
Our goal is to make healthcare accessible for families in East London. When you bring your child to our pharmacy, we will use an otoscope to look inside the ear canal and check the eardrum for signs of infection, such as redness or bulging. If our pharmacist determines the infection is bacterial, we can prescribe and dispense the appropriate treatment immediately.
Age Eligibility for the Earache Service
Under the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, our clinical earache service is specifically for:
- Children and young people aged 1 to 17 years.
Note: The Pharmacy First earache pathway does not currently cover adults or infants under 1 year old. If your baby is under 1 or you are an adult with ear pain, our team can still offer advice and direct you to the best care.
When to Seek Emergency Care
While most ear infections are manageable, you should seek urgent medical help if your child has:
- Swelling around the ear or a very high fever.
- Severe pain that does not respond to painkillers.
- A complete loss of hearing or severe dizziness.
- Fluid, blood, or pus leaking from the ear canal.
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Expert Pharmacy Guidance
Receive trusted advice from qualified pharmacists on prescriptions, treatments, vaccinations, and everyday healthcare needs to help you stay healthy and informed.
Yes. Under NHS Pharmacy First, our pharmacist can assess and prescribe antibiotics for acute otitis media (middle ear infection) in children aged 1–17.
Yes, for children aged 1–17 who are eligible under the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, the consultation and clinical service are free.
Amoxicillin is typically the first-choice antibiotic for bacterial ear infections. Alternatives are available if your child has a penicillin allergy.
Not always. Many ear infections are viral and will clear on their own with rest and paracetamol. Our pharmacist will assess the severity and only prescribe antibiotics when clinically appropriate.
Infants under 1 year old should see their GP or go to urgent care, as they are not covered by the Pharmacy First earache pathway for safety reasons.
Our Pharmacy In Bow
- Parnell Pharmacy
- Parnell Pharmacy, 625-627 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 2RN
- 02089803376
- parnell.pharmacy@nhs.net
Quick Links
Pharmacy Info
- GPhC Registration Number : 1040022
- Limited Company Registration No : 07326838
- Superintendent pharmacist : Shayem Siddiqui
Reach Us
- Name: Parnell Pharmacy
- Parnell Pharmacy, 625-627 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 2RN
- parnell.pharmacy@nhs.net
- 02089803376
Working Hours
- Mon - Sat : 09.00 am - 07.00 pm
- Sunday and bank holidays Closed
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Quick Links
Pharmacy Info
- GPhC Registration Number : 1040022
- Limited Company Registration No : 07326838
- Superintendent pharmacist : Shayem Siddiqui
Reach Us
- Name: Parnell Pharmacy
- Parnell Pharmacy, 625-627 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 2RN
- parnell.pharmacy@nhs.net
- 02089803376
Working Hours
- Mon - Sat : 09.00 am - 07.00 pm
- Sunday and bank holidays Closed