Why Do Your Ears Hurt in the Winter?

When you step outside on a frosty day, you might wonder why you feel a sharp pain nipping at your ears. In the winter, your ears are particularly vulnerable as they don’t have the same amount of fat as the rest of your body. Without this insulation, it’s common to experience ear soreness.  If you are like most people and you wonder why your ears hurt in the winter, we have the answers for you!

Though common, this pain can often interfere with your everyday tasks. So, how can you prevent this discomfort? In this article, our experts at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas break down the most common causes, prevention, and remedies for wintertime ear pain.

The Anatomy of the Ear

To understand why your ears hurt in the winter, you’ll need to identify the specific area where the pain originates. When it comes to wintertime soreness, the culprit is typically your pinna, earlobes, or even your ear canal. However, in the case of sickness, the pain typically stems from deeper in your middle ear.

Your outer ear, or pinna, is mostly composed of skin and cartilage, with minimal fatty tissue. This design is excellent for capturing sound but terrible for maintaining warmth. Beyond the lack of insulation, the skin on your ears is thinner than that of your body, furthering your sensitivity to changes in temperature. This thin skin is why your earlobes might hurt as well, despite the presence of fat. 

When it comes to your ear canal, winter weather can take a heftier toll. While the ear canal isn’t quite as exposed as your earlobe and pinna, the delicate balance of humidity is often disrupted by the lack of wintertime moisture. But how can this cold air make your ears feel red hot?

Cold Weather and Its Impact on Ears

As temperatures drop, your blood vessels constrict to preserve body heat. This constriction leads to reduced blood flow, which, when paired with the lack of insulation, causes a stinging sensation in your extremities.

This effect is amplified in your ears due to the exposed position and vulnerable design. So, when you step outside on a cold day, your ears are likely the first to raise the alarm. This physiological response is simply your body’s warning against the dangers of cold exposure. 

Dry Air and Its Role in Ear Discomfort

Oftentimes, cold weather isn’t the only culprit in the case of ear discomfort. Surprisingly, dry air can play a major role in and outside your home. In the winter, humidity is already low, but when you heat your home, the air is stripped of its remaining moisture. 

Because of the delicate skin in your ears, this dry air can result in an itchy or irritated feeling in your ear canal. To prevent this, you can simply use a humidifier in your home or office.

Winter Activities and Ear Pain

Ear pain can be a buzzkill when it comes to your favorite winter activities. Whether skiing down a snowy slope or taking a walk on a chilly day, winter activities play a significant role in your ear health.

Most winter activities involve moving, sometimes at high speeds, which means your ears are exposed to more wind than they’re used to. This wind can expedite the heat loss in your ears while also driving dry, cold air into your ear canal. Because of this, ear protection is crucial to avoiding discomfort during winter activities.

The Role of Winter Illnesses

If your ear pain is persistent, sharp, or deep, it’s likely the result of sickness. This is because, in winter, your body often lacks the necessary vitamins to fight off infection. This lack of vitamins contributes to a weakened immune system, which increases your vulnerability to the common cold, flu, and a myriad of other infections.

When you face one of these infections, you’ll often experience ear soreness due to inflammation in your eustachian tubes. These tubes regulate the fluid and pressure between your middle ears and throat, so when they’re congested or inflamed, you’ll often experience a sharp or persistent pain deep in your ear. 

This inflammation, paired with the effects of cold, dry air, can exacerbate the discomfort in your ears. Fortunately, this pain can be effectively mitigated through a variety of strategies.

Tips for Preventing and Alleviating Winter Ear Pain

Now that you understand what’s causing your ear pain, you can effectively treat and overcome this discomfort. When it comes to the cold air nipping of your ears, the easiest solution is to wear ear protection, like ear muffs. Sometimes, simply wearing a hood will provide sufficient protection against cold, harsh winds.

When the air is dry, ensure you’re hydrated, and your home has sufficient moisture using a humidifier. If your ear pain persists, seeking medical advice promptly is important. These remedies also reign true for illness-induced ear pain, but in some cases, you might need to seek additional treatment. 

Home Remedies for Ear Pain in Winter

Before seeking professional help, try home remedies to reduce or eliminate your ear pain. In most cases, the following treatment options can alleviate your discomfort so that you can focus on enjoying the winter months.

• Ear protection: Proper attire, such as ear muffs or hats, provides another layer of insulation, countering the inefficient heat regulation in your ears.
• Warm Compress: A warm compress helps increase blood flow and reduce inflammation, often relieving ear pain.
• Hydration: To combat dry and rampant illness, hydration is crucial. Ensure that you drink enough water, especially when engaging in winter activities like skiing.
• Over-the-counter medicine: Oftentimes, non-prescription pain relievers provide sufficient relief for ear soreness and inflammation.

Ears Hurt in the Winter? Call Today!

Whether it’s the brisk wind, lack of humidity, or widespread illness, understanding the cause of your ear pain is crucial to alleviating the discomfort. By protecting your ears with proactive care, such as ear protection, proper hydration, and moisture regulation, winter ear pain can be a thing of the past.

If these remedies don’t seem to help, contact an expert to determine the best solution. Our experts at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas are skilled in diagnosing and treating ear pain in all seasons. Give us a call at 702-857-8188 or visit our contact page to bring an end to your winter ear pain!