Earache, also known as Otalgia, is normally due to an infection of the outer ear (in front of the ear drum) or an infection of the middle ear (behind the eardrum). Serious earaches can occur in the middle ear when a tube leading from the middle ear to the throat gets blocked. A blockage occurs when the tube that normally drains away fluid from the ear and keeps the internal ear clean gets inflamed and irritates the ear canal, leading to pain and the accumulation of pus and other fluids inside the ear. Earache is common in children aged between six to twelve months, but can also occur in older children and adults. If an earache is persistent or gets worse, you should consult your doctor. Also, medical attention is required if there is any hearing loss, fever or feeling weak or unwell, such as headaches, swelling in the neck or stiffness.
Earache arises commonly either due to a bacterial infection or a minor injury to the ear which causes inflammation and pain. Common causes for earache include the following:
-
Ear wax can gather in the ear canal and eventually can form an ear plug, which impairs hearing and may cause pain
-
Common colds can often cause the blockage and inflammation of the middle ear
-
Any ear, nose, mouth or throat infection (such as tonsillitis or sinusitis) can also cause earache
-
Eczema can occur in the auditory canal, causing, dry, red and itchy skin. This can become infected and painful.
-
Tooth infection (like abscessed teeth)
-
Injury to the ear (such as having an object stuck in it) can cause pain
-
Air travel (due to a change in air pressure)
-
Swimming
-
Arthritis
There are three types of outer ear symptoms: localised, acute and chronic.
Localised ear canal infections are due to infection of a hair root in the ear canal and symptoms include:
-
A small red pimple in your ear, which may go white or yellow due to pus formation. It rarely becomes a boil.
-
Ear pain – especially when you move your ear.
-
Occasionally, loss of hearing.
Acute diffuse external ear canal inflammation can cause a skin rash that can extend to the outer ear and ear drum, and lasts less than three weeks. Symptoms include:
-
Redness and swelling of outer ear and ear canal , which causes pain.
-
Scaly skin in and around the ear canal.
-
Discharge from the ear.
-
Itching in and around the ear canal.
-
Tenderness on moving ear and jaw.
-
Swollen and sore glands in the throat.
-
Some hearing loss.
If these symptoms last longer that three months, then the condition is known as chronic and, along with the symptoms listed above, the condition may include the following:
-
A constant itch in and around the ear canal.
-
Pain and discomfort in the ear, which is worse when moving.
-
Discharge from the ear.
-
Lack of ear wax.
-
A build-up of thick dry skin in the ear canal, which can affect the hearing.
-
Pain in the ear.
-
Fever.
-
Hearing loss.
-
Occasional discharge from the ear.
-
Infants may show symptoms like diarrhea, poor feeding and irritability.
Symptoms of fever, diarrhoea, feeling generally unwell or weak, headache, swelling in the neck or stiffness require medical attention.
Natural remedies can be helpful in easing earache:
-
Homeopathic remedies such as Aconite and Belladonna are known to ease throbbing earaches.
-
Vitamins and supplements – many people find that vitamin C and zinc supplements are helpful in prevention of the common cold and its symptoms, such as earache.
-
Natural ear drops – Place two or three drops of warm (not hot) olive oil in the infected ear to ease the pain
-
Massage – gently massage the tube that leads from your ear down to your throat to help clear any blockages. Massage from just beneath your ear, all away along beneath your jawbone, for instant physical relief from pain
-
Heat treatment - use a warmed washcloth or a heating pad to prepare a warm compress to hold against the ear.
† Medical referral is advisable if symptoms worsen or persist.
∏ On no account should prescribed medication be discontinued, except under a doctor’s supervision.
UK & Ireland 