Which ear drops help in the treatment of outer ear infections?

Photo of a girl having her ear examined by a doctor

Some prescription-only ear drops can effectively relieve earache caused by an outer ear (otitis externa). There is no that over-the-counter disinfectant ear drops are as effective.

Outer ear infections are among the most common causes of earaches. They are usually caused by . If the only lasts a few days or weeks, it is called acute otitis externa. Painkillers and disinfectant ear drops are some of the more common treatments that are available in pharmacies without a prescription. But prescription-only ear drops – for instance, containing or steroids – are often used too.

Research on treatments for outer ear infections

Researchers from the (an international network of researchers) analyzed the results of 19 randomized controlled trials that tested various treatments for outer ear infections. Almost 3,400 children and adults with an acute outer ear took part in these good-quality studies. The researchers didn’t include studies on chronic outer ear infections.

Most of the studies were done in specialized ENT (ear, nose and throat) departments. The problem with that is that many people go to their family doctor when they have an earache – they are referred to specialized ENT practices or clinics only if the is especially severe. So it might not be possible to apply the results of the study to all patients who have an outer ear .

Also, the treatments in the various studies weren't always done in the same way. Because of this, it isn’t possible to draw any reliable conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of the various ear drops and sprays.

Evidence of an inflammation-reducing effect

Still, it was found that prescription-only ear drops (containing or steroids) seemed to effectively relieve the symptoms of outer ear infections. Some studies also looked at combinations of different types of drugs, but none of the treatments were found to be better or worse than others.

There’s no that over-the-counter disinfectant ear drops are as effective as ear drops containing antibiotics or steroids.

Doctors can help people decide which prescription ear drops are most suitable.

All ear drops can also have side effects such as burning sensations or rashes. But side effects are unlikely if you use the ear drops properly. If you aren’t sure how to use them, you can consult the package insert or ask your doctor.

Hajioff D, MacKeith S. Otitis externa. BMJ Clin Evid 2015: pii: 0510.

Kaushik V, Malik T, Saeed SR. Interventions for acute otitis externa. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010; (1): CD004740.

IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helping people understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and health care services.

Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to the German health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individual case can be determined by talking to a doctor. informedhealth.org can provide support for talks with doctors and other medical professionals, but cannot replace them. We do not offer individual consultations.

Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a team of health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in our methods.

Comment on this page

What would you like to share with us?

We welcome any feedback and ideas - either via our form or by gi-kontakt@iqwig.de. We will review, but not publish, your ratings and comments. Your information will of course be treated confidentially. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required fields.

Please note that we do not provide individual advice on matters of health. You can read about where to find help and support in Germany in our information “How can I find self-help groups and information centers?

Über diese Seite

Updated on June 13, 2023

Next planned update: 2026

Publisher:

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG, Germany)

How we keep you informed

Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our newsletter or newsfeed. You can find all of our films online on YouTube.