Parents know children get earaches frequently, but adults can also get earaches. Ear pain can be caused by a variety of factors. You may just need an over-the-counter remedy for something simple, or it may be a more serious condition.
There are many answers to the question “why does my ear hurt?” Ear pain can develop from many things, including tinnitus or the common cold. Let’s look at some of the major causes of ear pain.
Ear Wax
Your ears are constantly making and removing wax. The gunk can build up and harden, resulting in your ear canal becoming blocked. The condition is called impacted wax. It can be uncomfortable.
Cotton swabs and other materials should not be used to remove wax. If you do this, you will push the wax further into your ear canal, increasing the chance of developing an ear infection. The ear may hurt or feel itchy, or you may have discharge or an infection. You might even experience temporary hearing loss.
Over-the-counter drops can soften and drain the wax naturally if you want to try this at home. You should see a doctor for hardened wax.
Changes in Pressure
Mostly, a normal eardrum maintains equal pressure on both sides. This is why your throat pops when you swallow. When your environment suddenly changes, such as in an elevator or on an airplane, your balance can be thrown off. You might experience difficulty hearing or even discomfort in your ears. The condition is sometimes chronic, such as Eustachian tube dysfunction.
On a plane, here are some tips to avoid problems:
- Takeoff and landing should be accompanied by chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, and yawning.
- Don’t sleep during descent.
- Try to blow air out of your nose as you take a deep breath and pinch your nostrils shut.
- Air travel and diving should be avoided if you are sick or have sinusitis or allergies.
Swimmer’s Ear and Infection
In the case of ear infection, you will feel pain when pulling on your earlobe. Ear infections are caused by bacteria that grow in the canal of your ear. Symptoms of an ear infection include redness, swelling, itching, and pus leaking. The infection cannot spread.
Keep your ears dry when swimming and afterward to avoid getting swimmer’s ear. A doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic drops.
A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection may cause blocked tubes in your middle ear. Fluid can build up in the ear and become infected, which is referred to as otitis media. Ear pain is typically associated with this condition. If your doctor believes you have a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotics. When this is not the case, an antihistamine and nasal steroid may be recommended as a decongestant allergy treatment.
Your doctor should be contacted if you do not improve or if it returns. Untreated middle ear infections can cause hearing loss or spread to other parts of the ear.
Other Conditions
Although an infection may be located elsewhere in your body, such as in your tooth, it is possible to experience pain in your ears. This occurs because the face and neck nerves are close to the inner ear. “Referred pain” means when one part of the body is affected by another.
If you have a severe sore throat along with your earache, it may be caused by tonsillitis or pharyngitis. A common symptom of these conditions is ear pain.
An impacted molar, a tooth abscess, and a cavity can also bother your ears. If your doctor taps on your tooth or gum, they will be able to tell if they are sore because of your teeth.
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is a hinge-shaped joint in your jaw. TMJ pain can be caused by gritting your teeth or arthritis. When you chew, talk, or yawn, your ears or face ache. Take over-the-counter pain medicine to relieve the pain and apply a warm compress to your head.
Do not clench your teeth. It may be helpful to wear a night guard. It can relieve ear pain. Soft foods can also be eaten to ease the pain.
Pain in the ear can be caused by a tumor or infection, such as cellulitis or shingles. Seeing a doctor is critical if your ear pain does not ease, you have a high fever, sore throat, or a new rash that does not disappear after home treatment.
If you are having ear pain, it may be beneficial to see a specialist. For those in the Las Vegas area, Hearing Associates of Las Vegas is the top source for all of your hearing needs.
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