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Mastoiditis

Overview

Open all pages about Mastoiditis

Symptoms of mastoiditis can include pain and swelling behind the ear, a high temperature, discharge from the ear and hearing loss in the affected ear.

To check if you or your child has mastoiditis, a doctor will look inside your ear using a small magnifying lens. Some people may need to have a scan.

Mastoiditis needs to be treated by an ear specialist. The main treatment is antibiotics, but surgery may be needed if antibiotics do not work.

Mastoiditis is a serious infection that affects the mastoid bone behind the ear.

Page last reviewed: 23/03/2023
Next review due: 23/03/2026