Ear pain: causes and treatment

Ear pain is not uncommon. This happens not only in completely healthy people, but also in patients with latent diseases. Ear pain is often accompanied by additional symptoms. This article will tell you why your ears hurt, how to treat this trouble.

Ear pain is the reason

The ear pain is shooting, pressing, or aching. Only setting the correct diagnosis, that is, finding out the real cause, will help you choose the right treatment and get rid of this ailment.

Unpleasant sensations in the auricle in healthy people can occur as a result of:

• hypersensitivity to cold and wind;
• violation of personal hygiene, an excessive amount of sulfur leads to discomfort;
• violation of intra-ear pressure, for example, when landing an airplane or scuba diving.

Remember that chewing-swallowing movements can be used to cope with changes in ear pressure. You can also try pinching your nose with two fingers and exhaling forcefully.

Also, pain in the ear occurs with the ear diseases themselves. Such as:

1. Otitis.
2. Mastoiditis.
3. Tumors.
4. Physical trauma.

And a list of diseases that manifest themselves as ear pain, but in fact are a disease of a completely different nature:

• dental diseases - pulpitis, caries;
• inflammation in the pharynx, for example, glands ache, larynx is swollen;
• the consequences of trauma in the temporal-jaw part of the face;
• sinusitis;
• inflammation of the ear lymph node;
• mumps;
• foreign body;
• swimming in polluted water bodies;
• swelling of the salivary gland, located near the ear;
• pinching of the cervical spine;
• irritation of the trigeminal or glossopharyngeal nerves;
• arthritis;
• tumors inside the skull.

As you can see, ear pain can conceal quite serious ailments, the launch of which can be extremely dangerous to health and life. Plus, ear pain is a real discomfort. You shouldn't put up with it. Seek medical help as soon as possible.

Ear pain - symptoms

Pain in the auricle can be accompanied by discomfort in another organ. What are these sensations and what do they testify to? Ear pain, in conjunction with:

1. Headache speaks of surges in blood pressure. Often accompanied by noise or ringing in the ears, flushing of the face, flies or spots in front of the eyes. In this case, it is necessary to immediately call doctors for an early, but careful reduction of pressure.
2. Toothache. What indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the tooth. The trigeminal nerve connects the ear canal and teeth, so pain is felt in both places at the same time. Do not postpone a visit to the doctor, because dental diseases can develop into pulpitis or flux.
3. Pain when eating. Most likely this is the beginning of a sore throat or otitis media.

Earache goes down the throat

More precisely, with chewing and swallowing movements. As a rule, these are companions of otitis media. They can also talk about the onset of mumps, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, inflammatory processes in the cervical spine, diseases of the larynx and mouth. This is explained by the fact that the trigeminal nerve connects the ear apparatus and the nasopharynx. A more specific history can only be given by a specialist, after a thorough examination.

Usually, pains of this nature are accompanied by general weakness, drowsiness, loss appetite... In especially severe cases of diseases, there may be an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees and the release of fluid from the auricle. For example, purulent otitis media. Often, sore throat and ear pains are accompanied by an infectious disease. Do not postpone a visit to a specialist if you do not want to get complications.

For acute pain in the ear canal, pain pills can be used. For example, Nurafen, Paracetamol, Next, Pentalgin. It will not hurt to sanitize the oral cavity and larynx with a disinfectant solution. For example, Miramistin, hydrogen peroxide with water, tincture of calendula in water solution. Or just a decoction of medicinal herbs. Such as chamomile, calendula, sage.

Ear pain radiates to the jaw

In addition to the ailments described above, this type of pain can also indicate other diseases. For example:

• syndrome of "red ear", it is caused by neuralgia, damage to the thalamus, disruption of the jaw joint;
• a wisdom tooth grows, accompanied by headaches and a general deterioration in well-being;
• hardening or pinching of the trigeminal nerve;
• special forms of arthritis, accompanied by fever and difficulty opening the mouth;
• malocclusion, pain occurs with increased stress;
• migraine;
• wearing braces, it is believed that such pain is a good sign, which means that the correction process is in full swing;
• tumors in the neck, compressing the carotid artery.

Severe ear pain

If the likelihood of injury is excluded, then most likely it will be an inflammatory process. The pain is sharp, shooting. Most likely, these are severe forms of otitis media - purulent or catarrhal. May be accompanied by fluid from the pinna, fever, concha swelling, and tinnitus. Usually it is a consequence of a past viral disease. Do not under any circumstances self-medicate. Seek professional help as soon as possible. They will prescribe ear drops and antibiotics. They will also prescribe an anesthetic.

First aid to a person of any age in this case consists in the following actions:

• Instill vasoconstrictor drops into the nose. Even if there is no runny nose. This is done to reduce internal pressure.
• Take any pain reliever that is allowed. Children from 3 months can be given 2.5 ml of Nurofen syrup.

Ear pain - treatment

First of all, you need to make sure that the disease is not burdened by an abscess or infection. This can only be clarified with a specialist. First aid for ear pain is dry heat. Do not forget that heat can accelerate the spread of infection, if any.

The use of pain pills is allowed. The doctor may prescribe ear drops. Medications for the treatment of ear pain are divided into:

1. Vasoconstrictor, relieve swelling.
2. With an antibiotic to eliminate the inflammatory process.
3. Alcohol compresses.
4. Antiallergic drugs.
5. Antiseptics.
6. Ear candles.
7. Medicines for dissolving sulfuric plug.
8. Antiviral agents.
9. Ointments and traditional medicine.

The use of traditional medicine for the treatment of ear pain is possible strictly after the diagnosis is made. Since many home remedies are based on heating the auricle, this is not always acceptable. Especially if you have an elevated body temperature.

If the otolaryngologist has given permission, then you can be treated both by applying heat to the sore ear, and by burying special means made from natural products at home into it.

Feeling pain in the ear, or already carrying out therapy to eliminate it, in no case should you:

• go out with open ears, put on a hat, wrap yourself in a scarf;
• independently climb into the ear canal with various objects or dirty hands;
• rinse the ear with a strong stream;
• do not timely sanitize the ear canal;
• use a medicine not prescribed by a doctor, especially in conjunction with a prescribed medication;
• heat the ear too often and too much.

Folk remedies for ear pain

Do not forget that you can start self-treatment only after the diagnosis is made. Not all ailments accompanied by pain in the ear benefit from warmth. Traditional medicine offers a wide range of ear pain remedies. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most effective recipes for traditional medicine.

1. Heated olive oil. Moisturizes the ear canal and fights inflammation. Enough 3-4 drops of warm oil in a sore ear.
2. Onion or garlic juice. It has excellent antiseptic properties. Dripping 2-3 drops of juice, 3 times a day.
3. Ginger extract mixed with olive oil.
4. Essential oil of mint or basil. Relieves acute pain.
5. Camphor oil. It can be dripped into a sore ear, or used as a warming compress. Take gauze folded in several layers and cut a hole in it for the sink. Then moisten in warmed camphor oil and apply to the sore spot.
6. Hydrogen peroxide works well for gently cleaning ear wax and has antimicrobial properties.
7. Bury room geranium juice in your ear.
8. Alcohol tincture of calendula or propolis. Dilute with water, in equal proportions. Apply both for instillation inside and as part of compresses.
9. Boric alcohol. Handles acute pain well. Dampen a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and insert into your ear. Forbidden for use in childhood.
10. Almond oil, wormwood decoction, glycerin or bay leaf decoction. Any of the means is good. Bury 2-3 drops in the ear.

Remember that any compress can be kept for no more than 4 hours.

Ears congestion without pain

If the ears are blocked, but there is no severe pain, then the problem may be as follows:

• Excessive moisture getting into the ear canal, for example, when bathing;
• pressure drop observed during takeoff and landing of the aircraft;
• poor sanitation of the auditory canal, the presence of a sulfur plug in it;
• inflammation of the auditory tube, most often occurs in parallel with acute respiratory infections.

If mortgages occur periodically and for a short time, then there is no concern. You can almost always deal with it yourself. For example, to normalize the internal pressure in the ear, you need to chew gum. Excess moisture must be carefully collected with a cotton swab. Or tilt your head so that the liquid flows out by itself. Note that excessive hygiene in the ear canal is also not good. A small amount of earwax is needed to keep bacteria from growing.

If unpleasant sensations occur often, and their duration causes significant discomfort, this is a reason to visit an otolaryngologist.

The child's ear hurts

In children aged 3-6 years, due to the structural features of a fragile organism, otitis media can occur regularly. It appears suddenly, with sharp pain and fever. In infants, it may be accompanied by gastrointestinal disorder- vomiting, diarrhea. For children under 2 years old, the use of any ear drops is contraindicated, only the use of compresses is permissible. Also, children under 2 years old are entitled to antibiotics. Older kids are allowed to bring down the temperature only if it is above 38 degrees.

First aid for a child with acute ear pain is the same as for an adult - vasoconstrictor nasal drops and a dose of paracetamol-containing drug. Most often it is Ibuprofen or Nurofen. Do not be nervous and panic. All children are ill, and your nerves will not help the cause. Keep a sober mind, your child needs you. Remember to provide the patient with complete rest and increased care. Do not forcefully try to put a compress on the baby. Any touch is painful.

The child has ear pain and fever

The most harmless bandage in case of acute ear pain is to put a clean dry piece of cotton wool on the ear, cover it with a bag and wrap it with a scarf. This method will not give a strong warming effect, but it will save you from external influences.

Remember that in childhood, any means containing alcohol or salicylic acid are prohibited for use. Due to their high toxicity for an immature organism. Applying dry heat is allowed only at the first complaints of pain. If this does not help, the pain intensifies, the temperature rises or there is discharge from the auricle - stop any independent actions and call an ambulance.

The child has a sore ear - what to do

For more information on first aid for a child with ear pain, as well as what to do in case of child pain, see above.

If the baby has been prescribed ear drops that are permissible only for children over 2 years old, read the instructions on how to bury them correctly.

1. It is imperative that all drops, compresses and other means for treatment should be warm. If the drops are stored in the refrigerator, place the bottle in hot water for a few minutes. Then check the comfort of their temperature on the hand.
2. The baby should lie on its side. Only in this position will the drops reach their destination. In this case, it is recommended to slightly pull back the sink. For babies - back and down. Older children, back and up
3. After instillation, you need to lie down quietly for a few minutes. Many drops have an oily texture and take time to penetrate the ear canal.
4. Do not exceed the dose. Treatment is unlikely to accelerate, but an overdose can lead to side effects.