Treating mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is a serious infection and should be diagnosed and treated quickly with antibiotics .

You may need to go to hospital so antibiotics can be given directly into a vein through a drip.

In some cases, surgery may be needed to either:

  • drainthe middle ear (a myringotomy)
  • remove part of the mastoid bone (mastoidectomy)

If you're admitted to hospital for treatment you'll need to stay in for a few days until the ENT specialists can be sure the infection is under control.

After surgery

If you've had surgery for mastoiditis, you'll probably need to take one or two weeks off work.

Take care not to get the affected ear wet. You should be able to wash your hair after about a week, providing you don't get water inside your ear.

You should be able to go swimming around four to six weeks after the operation, depending on how well your ear has healed.

Your doctorshould be able to give you specific advice after surgery and at any follow-up appointments.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018