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Earache can be painful and even debilitating. If your little-used ear is constantly throbbing and you’re not sure why, chances are you have a specific cause for your pain. Earaches can be caused by various factors such as allergies, infections, injuries, or certain medical conditions. Knowing the common causes of earaches will help you know when to see a doctor, how to self-treat an earache at home, and what to do if your ear hurts consistently.
What is an Earache?
An earache is a painful condition that affects the ear canal. It usually occurs due to an infection or injury to the ear, but can also be caused by a variety of other factors. Earaches can cause pain, swelling, and drainage in the ear. Serious earaches can be very painful and may even cause dizziness. The pain of an earache may also be accompanied by an itch in the ear, especially if the infection is accompanied by an infection of the middle ear, or mastoid process.
The most common type of earache is caused by an infection. Ear infections are very common, especially in children. They are less common in adults, but can still occur. Ear infections often occur when debris or fluid builds up in the ear canal. Bacteria that cause ear infections can cause inflammation and swelling of the ear canal tissue.
Other causes of ear pain include allergies, foreign bodies (such as cotton swabs or medications), exposure to loud noises, certain chronic illnesses, or injuries.
What Causes Earaches?
While an earache can be caused by a number of factors, certain factors are more common than others. Ear infections are caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the ear canal. If your child has a lot of excess earwax, then bacteria can collect in the earwax and cause a bacterial infection. Other factors that can lead to an ear infection include allergies, exposure to loud noises, certain chronic illnesses, or injuries.
Infections are often caused by bacteria. However, certain viruses and even parasites can also cause ear infections in children. In adults, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and HIV can also lead to ear infections.
Common Earaches and Their Causes
- Bacterial Ear Infections
- Swimmer’s Ear – Wet Ear – Otitis Media – Otitis Externa – Otalgia – Ear Wax Buildup – Ear Congestion – Ear Fluid Buildup – Ear Pain – Ear Discomfort – Fungal Ear Infections – Otitis Chronic – Parasite Infections – Ringworm of the Ear – Otosclerosis –
A bacterial ear infection is caused by a bacterial imbalance in the ear. The most common bacterial ear infection is caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). Symptoms of an ear infection caused by E. coli include a high fever and decreased hearing.
Swimmer’s ear is caused by a buildup of water in the ear canal. Swimmers often put a cotton swab in their ear to clean out the ear canal. Once the cotton swab is removed, the water in the ear canal quickly creates a mild to severe infection. Symptoms of a swimmer’s ear include pain and hearing loss.
Otitis media is an ear infection caused by a bacterial imbalance. Symptoms of an ear infection caused by bacteria include an infected sore in the ear with fluid, pain, decreased hearing, and an increased likelihood of developing a bacterial ear infection in the future.
Otitis externa is a bacterial infection of the skin around the ear. It is generally caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Symptoms of an ear infection caused by bacteria include a red rash around the ear, pain, and decreased hearing.
Otalgia is a symptom that refers to pain in the ear. It can be caused by bacterial ear infections, pain from allergies, or injury to the ear.
Ear wax buildup is generally harmless and common. However, if the buildup is excessive, it can lead to pain, itching, and discharge from the ear. Ear wax is generally produced by the ear wax glands in the ear canal.
Ear congestion is also caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the ear. It results in a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. Many people experience ear congestion after swimming to clean the ears out.
Ear drainage is caused by fluid in the ear. It is generally caused by an infection or blockage in the ear canal.
Ear pain can be caused by an injury to the ear, an allergic reaction, or an infection.
Treatment and Self Care After an Earache
While it’s always best to see a doctor if your ear pain lasts longer than a few days, it is possible to treat earaches at home. Seek immediate medical help if you have any of the following symptoms: pain, redness, discharge, swelling, or drainage in the ear. Additionally, if you have an earache more than once a week, especially if you are a child, visit the doctor.
If your earache is caused by an infection, you should administer oral antibiotics as soon as possible. If the pain and redness in your ear go away after a day or two and return, it is likely a bacterial infection. If the pain and redness disappear for more than three days, see a doctor.
After your earache is treated, follow these steps to help prevent future earaches:
- Rinse your ears with lukewarm water to help remove debris and debris that may cause future ear infections.
- Avoid swimming and other activities that may cause ear drainage.
- Keep your ears dry by wearing a cotton ball in your ear.
- Avoid earwax buildup by irrigating your ears with a clean, warm water solution.
- Don’t use over-the-counter ear drops.
- Don’t pop your ear. This may only damage the structure and worsen the pain.
- Don’t use cotton swabs in your ears.
- Don’t use dropper bottles.
- Don’t clean your ears with cotton swabs.
Conclusion
An earache is a painful condition that affects the ear canal. It can be caused by an infection or injury, but can also be caused by a variety of other factors. Earaches can be painful and even debilitating. Knowing the common causes of earaches will help you know when to see a doctor, how to self-treat an earache at home, and what to do if your ear hurts consistently.
