Earaches can be mild or very painful. The most common cause of an earache is plugged Eustachian tubes. These tubes go from the back of the throat to your middle ear. When the Eustachian tube gets blocked, fluid gathers, causing pain. Things that make this happen include an infection of the middle ear, colds, sinus infections, and allergies. Other things that can cause ear pain include changes in air pressure in a plane, something stuck in the ear, too much earwax, tooth problems, and ear injuries.
Very bad ear pain should be treated by a doctor. Treatment will depend on its cause. Most often this includes pain relievers, an antibiotic for infection and methods to dry up or clear the blocked ear canal. You can, however, use Self-Care Tips if ear pain is mild and produces no other symptoms. One example is with a mild case of "swimmer's ear", which affects the outer ear. (See To Treat a Mild Case of Swimmer's Ear below.)
Prevention
Much can be done to prevent earaches. Heed the old
saying, "Never put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear." This
includes cotton-tipped swabs, bobby pins, your fingers, etc. Doing so could damage your
eardrum. When you blow your nose, do so gently, one nostril at a time. Don't smoke.
Smoking and secondhand smoke can increase the risk of blocking the eustachian tube.
Questions to Ask
Did the pain start after a blow to the ear or
recent head trauma?  |
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With the earache do you also have these symptoms? Stiff neck Fever Drowsiness Nausea, vomiting |
|
| In a child: Does a child not respond to any sound, even a whistle or a loud clap? |
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| Are there any of the following signs of infection? Fever (especially 102oF
or higher) Sticky, green, or bloody discharge Severe ear pain and/or increased pain when
wiggling the ear lobe |
|
| Does a child show these signs of trouble? (These
signs are especially important after a respiratory tract infection, a cold, air travel, or
if the child has had ear problems before.) Constant pulling, touching, or
tugging at the ear(s) Fever Crying that won't stop Ear or ears that are hot and hurt when
touched Acting cranky and restless, especially at
night or when lying down |
|
| Is the earache persistent, more than mild and does
it occur after any of the following? A mild ear injury Blowing your nose hard or many times Sticking an object of any kind in the ear A cold, sinus, or upper respiratory
infection Swimming, and it is extremely painful when
the earlobe is wiggled or touched Exposure to extremely loud noises (Examples:
rock concerts, heavy machinery) |
|
| With the earache do you also have hearing loss,
ringing in the ears, dizziness or nausea? |
|
| Has a small object been stuck in the ear that
cannot easily be removed or has an insect gotten in the ear that cannot safely be removed? |
|
| Does the earache occur with jaw pain, headache, and
a clicking sound when opening and closing the mouth? |
 |
Self-Care Tips
To Reduce Pain:
Place a warm washcloth or
heating pad (set on low, adults only) next to the ear. Some health professionals recommend
putting an ice bag or ice in a wet washcloth over the painful ear for 20 minutes.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. {Note:
See Pain relievers in "Your
Home Pharmacy".}
To Open Up the Eustachian Tubes and Help them
Drain:
Sit up.
Prop your head up when you sleep.
Yawn. (This helps move the muscles that
open the eustachian tubes.)
Chew gum or suck on hard candy. (Do not
give to children under age 5.) This tip is especially helpful during pressure changes that
take place during air travel but can also be useful during the middle of the night if you
wake up with ear pain.
Stay awake during take-offs and landings
when traveling by air.
Take a decongestant such as Sudafed, which
can dry up the fluid in the ear that causes the pain. But don't use a nasal spray
decongestant for more than three days unless directed by your doctor. Take a decongestant:
At the first sign of a cold if you have gotten ear infections often after previous colds.
One hour before you land when you travel by air if you have a cold or know your
sinuses are going to block up.
Take a steamy shower.
Use a "cool-mist" vaporizer,
especially at night.
Drink plenty of cool water.
Gently, but firmly, blow through your nose
while holding both nostrils closed until you hear a pop. This will help promote ear
drainage. This can be done several times a day.
Feed a baby its bottle in an upright
position, not lying down.
To Treat a Mild Case of
"Swimmer's Ear":
The goal is to clean and dry the ear outer canal without doing further
damage to the top layer of skin.
Shake your head to expel trapped water.
Dry the ear canal. Take a clean facial
tissue. Twist each corner into a tip and gently place each tip into the ear canal for 10
seconds. Repeat with the other ear, using a new tissue.
Use an over-the-counter product such as
Swim-Ear. Drop it into the ears to fight infection. Follow package directions.
Do not remove earwax. This coats the ear
canal and protects it from moisture.
To Avoid Getting "Swimmer's Ear":
Wear wax or silicone
earplugs that can be softened and shaped to fit your ears. They are available at most drug
stores.
Wear a bathing cap to help keep water from
getting into the ears.
Don't swim in dirty water.
Swim on the surface of the water instead of
underneath the water.
For an Insect in the Ear:
Shine a flashlight into the
ear. Doing this may cause the insect to come out.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/20/99