Earaches - ear pain - Otalgia

Earache, or pain in the ear, is a common symptom of ear diseases.Earaches can be a simple problem or a complex.
The pain varies; it can be dull, sharp, or burning and can occur in one or both ears. It may be prolonged or instant.

Earache symptoms

Symptoms of earaches in infants and toddlers.

Ear pain is common in young children, but children often cannot speak and cannot express themselves to adults.
To recognize ear pain in young children, it is necessary to know the symptoms of ear pain in children often accompanied by the following signs:

• Hearing problems
• Pulling or scratching the ear
• Crying or irritability
• Ear drainage
• Fever

Symptoms of earaches in young children, adolescents, and adults may include:

• Pain
• Hearing problems
• Full or “stuffy” sensation in the ear
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Nausea, vomiting
• Ear drainage
• Fever

Causes of Earaches

• External ear infection. ear pain when pulling and depositing on the pinna.
• Foreigner object in ear
• Acute Middle ear infection (called acute otitis media) and otitis media: often come with fever and other infection symptoms.
• Swimmer ear infection: often come with fever and other infection symptoms, pain when touch ear pinna
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or jaw joint pain.
• Eustachian tube dysfunction: symptom with hearing problems
• Inflammation of the outer ear (called chondritis)
• Cotton swab use
• Acute Throat infection
• Throat cancer (rarely)

What commond Causes Earaches in Children?

In children, earaches are commonly due to an infection of the middle ear (acute otitis media), and can affect one or both ears.
Otitis media can be serious because the infection can spread to nearby structures in the head, especially the mastoid located behind the ear.
Otitis media may also cause hearing loss; in children, it may impair learning ability and even delay speech development.
If treated promptly and effectively, hearing can almost always be restored to normal.
Many cases of otitis media can be treated by your pediatrician or family doctor; more serious cases may need attention from an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, or otolaryngologist.
Ear infections are often due to eustachian tube dysfunction.

What Causes Earaches in Adults?

In adults, common causes of earaches include
Otitis externa or swimmer’s ear
TMJ dysfunction
Trauma after use of cotton swab.
Throat cancer.

The treatment for earache

Depends on the underlying cause. Some common causes of earache and their treatments include:

Ear infection: Ear infections are the most common cause of earache in children. They are usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Treatment for ear infections usually involves antibiotics. In some cases, pain relievers and decongestants may also be prescribed.
Glue ear - otitis media - middle ear infection Glue ear is a condition where fluid builds up in the middle ear. This can cause hearing loss and earache. Glue ear usually goes away on its own, but in some cases, it may need to be drained by a doctor.
Foreign object in the ear: Children are sometimes known to put objects in their ears, such as beads, beans, or small toys. This can cause pain, hearing loss, and infection. If you think your child has a foreign object in their ear, it is important to see a doctor immediately.

• Throat infection: A throat infection can sometimes cause ear pain. This is because the infection can spread from the throat to the ear. Treatment for a throat infection usually involves antibiotics.
   
• Jaw problem: A problem with the jaw, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, can sometimes cause ear pain. This is because the jaw and the ear are connected by nerves. Treatment for TMJ syndrome usually involves physical therapy or medication.

Treat earache at home

If you have earache, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause and get the appropriate treatment.

Here are some home remedies that may help relieve earache:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help relieve pain and inflammation.
• Warm compress: A warm compress can help relieve pain and inflammation. Apply a warm, wet washcloth to the ear for 10-15 minutes at a time.
• Cool compress: A cool compress can help numb the pain. Apply a cold, wet washcloth to the ear for 10-15 minutes at a time.
• Ear drops: Over-the-counter ear drops that contain pain relievers or antibiotics may help relieve pain and infection.
• Gargling with salt water: Gargling with salt water can help to soothe a sore throat, which can sometimes cause earache.
• Getting plenty of rest: Getting plenty of rest can help your body heal.

If you have earache, it is important to see a doctor if the pain is severe or does not go away after a few days. You should also see a doctor if you have any other symptoms, such as fever, hearing loss, or drainage from the ear.

Earwax removal drops

If you have earwax buildup, certain ear drops can soften and loosen your earwax for easier removal. There are three types of softening drops for earwax: water-based, non-water-based and oil-based. If you have impacted earwax, a healthcare provider may recommend ear drops containing:

• Carbamide peroxide.
• Hydrogen peroxide.
• Glycerin.
• Sodium bicarbonate.

Once the medication has time to work, you’ll gently rinse your ear canals with warm water. Some products come with an ear syringe to make this step easier. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product packaging.

The benefits of using ear drops

Ear drops can kill bacteria and fungi faster than oral medication. In some cases, ear drops may be the only treatment you need.
the side effects of using ear drops
The most common side effect is a stinging or burning sensation in your ear canal. This usually goes away within a few minutes and isn’t a cause for concern.
If your symptoms worsen or don’t go away, call the doctor.

The risks of using ear drops

Serious complications are rare,
call your healthcare provider if after use ear drop you develop:
* New pain.
* Redness or swelling around your ears.
* Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, dizziness or difficulty breathing.
* Hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing).

When to see the Doctor

You should contact your healthcare provider, ear nose throat specialist doctor if the symptoms is not reduce, worsen or come with these symptoms.

• A fever.
• Pain that wasn’t there before.
• Redness.
• Swelling in or around your ears.
• A skin rash.
• Dizziness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Hearing loss.
• Tinnitus (ringing).