Earache can be very exasperating and painful and can even disrupt a person’s life. This pain, especially in children, can be unbearable and bothersome. Earache is a common disease that can affect one or both ears, but in most cases, it affects only one ear. This complication, which usually happens in children, also has the possibility of appearing in adults as well. Injury, infection, ear irritation, or discomfort from other parts of the head may be associated with earache. Sometimes, a cold or flu virus can cause earaches as well.
Earache Causes
Ear diseases and disorders in adults may be related to a variety of symptoms, such as earache and hearing impairment. Depending on the type of the condition, several diseases, such as ear stroke, ear congestion after swimming in the pool, etc., may cause different symptoms for the patient.
1. Ear Infection
The most common cause of earache in children is acute Otitis media (middle ear infection). When viruses or bacteria enter the eardrum through the eustachian tube, the ear becomes infected. When the ear gets infected, it becomes inflamed and swollen, and the ear fluid cannot drain itself.
2. Damage and Injury
When the ear is hit or injured, it may hurt. Damage to any part of the ear canal may be accompanied by pain. When you stick your finger into your ear, you can cause injury. Also, using cotton buds improperly can lead to severe ear damage and pain. Cotton buds can wound the canal or even the eardrum if not used correctly.
Swimmer’s Ear
3. Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear (otitis or external ear infection) is another cause of earache. The swimming pool water enters the ear canal and can introduce germs and bacteria into the ear.
Other causes involve:
- Perforated eardrum
- Sinus infection
- A tooth abscesses
- Getting shampoo or water into the ear when bathing
- Ear eczema
- Streptococcal sore throat
- Mass accumulation of earwax inside the ear canal
- Air pressure changes like when you’re on an airplane
Earache Symptoms
Earache symptoms can be caused by an infection or injury to the ear. Some of the most common symptoms of earache in adults are:
- Pain or swelling in the ear
- Hearing impairment and hearing loss
- Fluid discharge from the ear
- Burning sensation in the ear
- The feeling of pressure or heaviness in the ear
- Sensitive or plugged ear
- Feeling dizzy or unbalanced
- Abnormal sounds such as ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Increased body temperature
- Coughing or sneezing
Earache
Earache Preventions
Earaches can have several causes, so it may not be easy to prevent them. However, you can get rid of the problem with a few simple methods:
- When cleaning or washing the ear, be sure to do it slowly.
- Never use a cotton bud to clean the ear deeply. Just clean the outside area of the ear with it.
- Do not insert external objects into your ears.
- Do not let water and shampoo enter the ear canal while bathing.
- After bathing, dry your ears well with a hair dryer.
- If flying on a plane, cover your ears so the air pressure does not cause earache.
- Be sure to use earplugs in the pool.
- Prevent upper respiratory tract infections by washing your hands and maintaining good hygiene, as these infections can also spread to the ears and cause earaches.
- Avoid allergens such as dust and pollen.
- Avoid smoking and exposure to smoke.
Earache Treatment
You can try some simple ways at home to reduce ear pain. Note that some of these methods may not cure the pain completely, but they can decrease pain.
How to Stop an Earache Fast?
There are many quick home remedies for earache that you can use. Taking painkillers using ear drops or ice compresses and even blowing the ear with a hair dryer can alleviate the pain in the ear. Using onions can also relieve your ear pain in a short time. If the cause of your earache is due to the entry of water or shampoo into the ear canal, you can use a warm compress or hair dryer to dry the ear, which can gradually reduce the pain. You can also take painkillers such as acetaminophen, paracetamol, or ibuprofen for pain relief.
Earache Treatment
How do You Relieve Ear Pain?
Cold Compress: In adults, placing a cold compress (ice pack) on the ear may help immediately treat an earache. As you keep a cold compress or cold wet cloth on your ear for 20 minutes, your ear will get numb, and the possible inflammation will decrease.
Ear Drops: Over-the-counter (OTC) drops are helpful for some people, but those whose eardrums are burst should not use these drops. Before you start using ear drops, consult with a doctor to make sure these medications are suitable for you.
Painkillers: Painkillers, including ibuprofen, can help control the pain. However, if you do not know the cause of your pain, it is best to see a doctor beforehand because you might have a serious underlying disease.
Heating Pad: To minimize the pain, place a heating pad or a hot cloth on your ear for 20 minutes. While cold compresses help reduce inflammation, heat can improve blood flow by relaxing the ear muscles.
Neck Exercises: Sometimes, the pain is caused by the contractions of the neck muscles around the ear canal. In this case, simple neck exercises may ease the muscles. An exercise you can do is to slowly turn your neck and head several times a day and raise your shoulders towards your ears.
Chewing Gum: If the pain occurs during and after air travel or going to high altitudes, chewing gum can help prevent plugged ears.
Hair Dryer: After taking a bath, turn the hair dryer on low heat and let the warm air blow your ears for five minutes. Keep the dryer distant from your ear, and be careful not to burn your ears.
Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, using ginger juice around the external ear canal can soothe the pain gradually. While trying this method, be cautious not to get ginger juice into the ear.
Sleep with Earache
How to Sleep with Earache?
Changing the sleeping position is usually a noteworthy concern when suffering from earaches. Sleeping in a vertical position can reduce the pressure in the ear.
When Should You See a doctor?
If you or your child suffers from an earache and has a sustained fever of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) or higher, you should see a doctor promptly. If your earache was initially severe, but by the time the pain disappeared unexpectedly, you should see a doctor immediately, because this could indicate that you might have a perforated eardrum (a burst in the eardrum).
Final Word
Earache can have various causes. You might have experienced earaches once or more in your lifetime, and fortunately, the problem was solved by itself. Sometimes, the ingress of water and fluids leads to an earache, but when the fluid dries up, the pain will fade away. Occasionally, a more serious issue, such as an ear infection or a perforated eardrum, can cause a great amount of discomfort for the patient. Earache is more common in children and may have more serious causes. So, as soon as earache is sensed, you should see a doctor.
