What are the differences between earaches caused by colds and ear infections. How can you tell if your ear pain is from a cold or an infection. What are the symptoms and treatments for cold-related ear pain versus ear infections. When should you see a doctor for ear pain.

The Connection Between Colds and Ear Pain

Many people experience ear pain during or after a cold, leading to confusion about whether they’re dealing with a simple cold symptom or a more serious ear infection. Understanding the link between colds and ear pain is crucial for proper treatment and management.

Colds, caused by viral infections, can indeed lead to ear pain. This occurs because the viral infection can cause inflammation of the eardrum. The resulting earache may be dull, sharp, or burning in nature. Typically, this type of ear pain will subside along with other cold symptoms.

Why do colds sometimes cause ear pain?

Colds can cause ear pain due to:

• Inflammation of the eardrum from the viral infection
• Congestion in the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes
• Pressure changes in the middle ear

Distinguishing Between Cold-Related Earaches and Ear Infections

While both colds and ear infections can cause ear pain, there are key differences that can help you distinguish between the two conditions. Understanding these differences is crucial for determining the appropriate course of treatment.

How can you tell if your ear pain is from a cold or an infection?

Key indicators that your ear pain may be due to an ear infection rather than a cold include:

1. Persistence of pain after other cold symptoms subside
2. Sudden onset of sharp pain
3. Dulled hearing
4. Development of a fever
5. More intense pain compared to typical cold-related ear discomfort

Symptoms and Characteristics of Ear Infections

Ear infections, medically known as acute otitis media (AOM), have distinct symptoms and characteristics that set them apart from cold-related ear pain. Recognizing these signs can help you determine when to seek medical attention.

What are the common symptoms of an ear infection?

Common symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Sharp, intense ear pain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dizziness
• Mild hearing loss
• Fever
• Fluid buildup behind the eardrum

Diagnosis and Treatment of Ear Infections

Proper diagnosis and treatment of ear infections are essential for relieving pain and preventing complications. Healthcare providers use specific tools and techniques to identify ear infections and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

How do doctors diagnose ear infections?

Doctors typically diagnose ear infections using an otoscope, which allows them to examine the inside of the ear. They look for signs such as:

• A bulging eardrum due to fluid and pus buildup
• Reduced flexibility of the eardrum
• Cloudiness of the eardrum
• Signs of hearing loss (though hearing tests are not usually necessary for diagnosis)

What treatments are available for ear infections?

Treatment for ear infections often involves:

1. Antibiotics for bacterial infections
2. Pain management with over-the-counter medications
3. Monitoring for improvement
4. In some cases, a wait-and-see approach for mild infections

Managing Cold-Related Ear Pain

While ear pain caused by a cold typically resolves on its own, there are steps you can take to alleviate discomfort and promote faster healing. Understanding how to manage cold-related ear pain can help you feel more comfortable as you recover.

How can you relieve ear pain caused by a cold?

To relieve cold-related ear pain:

• Use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Apply a warm compress to the affected ear
• Stay hydrated to thin mucus and reduce congestion
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air
• Try nasal decongestants to relieve pressure

Post-Treatment Care for Ear Infections

After completing treatment for an ear infection, it’s important to understand that some symptoms may persist and that follow-up care may be necessary. Proper post-treatment care can help prevent complications and ensure complete recovery.

What should you expect after treating an ear infection?

After treating an ear infection:

• Fluid behind the eardrum may persist for weeks or months
• Hearing may be temporarily affected
• Regular follow-ups with your doctor may be necessary
• Additional hearing tests may be recommended if problems persist

When to Seek Medical Attention for Ear Pain

While many cases of ear pain can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Knowing when to seek help can prevent complications and ensure proper treatment.

When should you see a doctor for ear pain?

Consider seeking medical attention if:

• Pain is severe or persists for more than a few days
• You experience sudden hearing loss
• There’s discharge from the ear
• You develop a high fever
• You experience dizziness or balance problems
• Symptoms worsen despite home treatment

Understanding the differences between cold-related ear pain and ear infections is crucial for proper management and treatment. While both conditions can cause discomfort, ear infections often require medical intervention, particularly if caused by bacteria. By recognizing the symptoms and knowing when to seek help, you can ensure prompt and effective treatment, leading to faster relief and recovery.

Remember that ear pain, whether from a cold or an infection, is generally temporary and treatable. With proper care and attention, most people experience complete recovery without long-term complications. However, if you’re unsure about the cause of your ear pain or if symptoms persist, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.

Prevention Strategies for Colds and Ear Infections

While it’s not always possible to prevent colds and ear infections entirely, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your risk. By incorporating these preventive measures into your daily routine, you can help protect yourself and your family from these common ailments.

How can you reduce your risk of colds and ear infections?

To minimize your risk of colds and ear infections:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Avoid touching your face, especially your nose, mouth, and eyes
• Boost your immune system through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep
• Stay up-to-date on vaccinations, including the flu shot
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick
• If you smoke, consider quitting, as smoking can increase susceptibility to infections
• Manage allergies effectively, as they can contribute to ear infections

By implementing these preventive strategies, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing colds and ear infections. However, it’s important to remember that even with the best precautions, these conditions can still occur. When they do, proper identification and treatment are key to a swift recovery.

The Impact of Lifestyle Factors on Ear Health

Your lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on your overall ear health and susceptibility to infections. Understanding how various factors affect your ears can help you make informed decisions to protect your hearing and reduce the risk of ear-related issues.

Which lifestyle factors influence ear health and infection risk?

Several lifestyle factors can affect ear health:

1. Smoking: Increases risk of ear infections and can damage hearing over time
2. Alcohol consumption: Excessive drinking can affect balance and inner ear function
3. Noise exposure: Prolonged exposure to loud noises can damage hearing and increase infection risk
4. Diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E can support ear health
5. Stress: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections
6. Sleep habits: Poor sleep can affect immune function and increase infection risk
7. Hygiene practices: Proper ear cleaning habits can prevent infections

By being mindful of these factors and making positive lifestyle changes, you can significantly improve your ear health and reduce your risk of infections and other ear-related problems. Remember that small changes can have a big impact over time, so start incorporating healthy habits into your routine today.

Emerging Research and Treatments for Ear Infections

The field of otolaryngology is constantly evolving, with researchers exploring new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat ear infections. Staying informed about the latest developments can help you make better decisions about your ear health and treatment options.

What are some recent advancements in ear infection treatment?

Recent advancements in ear infection treatment include:

• Development of more targeted antibiotics to reduce antibiotic resistance
• Exploration of probiotics as a preventive measure against ear infections
• Research into new vaccines to prevent bacterial ear infections
• Advancements in diagnostic tools for more accurate and rapid diagnosis
• Investigation of alternative therapies, such as herbal remedies and acupuncture
• Improved surgical techniques for chronic or recurring ear infections

While many of these advancements are still in the research phase, they offer promising prospects for the future of ear infection treatment. As always, it’s important to consult with healthcare professionals to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment options for your specific situation.

In conclusion, understanding the relationship between colds, ear infections, and ear pain is crucial for proper management and treatment. By recognizing the symptoms, knowing when to seek medical attention, and adopting preventive measures, you can effectively manage these common health issues. Remember that ear health is an integral part of your overall well-being, and taking proactive steps to protect your ears can lead to better health outcomes in the long run.

Is It a Cold or an Ear Infection?

As if the coughing, sneezing, and runny nose weren’t enough, your ear hurts, too. The pain may be a symptom of a cold or an ear infection, and you need to know which in order to get the right treatment. Not sure how to figure it out? Start here.

When Cold Symptoms Include an Earache

“With a cold, you can get ear pain because the eardrum gets inflamed by the viral infection,” says Richard Rosenfeld, MD, MPH, a professor and the chairman of otolaryngology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The dull, sharp, or burning earache will go away with the cold. Since colds are caused by viruses, the best you can do is treat the cold symptoms and wait out the infection. Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) can help ease your earache.

However, in some people, particularly in children under age 8 and adults who smoke, a second infection occurs inside the ear when bacteria cause pus and fluid to fill up in the space behind the eardrum. In many ways an ear infection may be similar to the earache symptoms of a cold, except the pain is likely to be sharper and come on more suddenly.

Earache due to Ear Infection

Doctors call an ear infection acute otitis media (AOM). Signs that you have an ear infection rather than an earache because of a cold are:

• The pain does not go away with your other cold symptoms.
• Your hearing is dulled. “The hearing loss with an ear infection is typically mild — it’s the equivalent of putting a good earplug in your ear,” says Dr. Rosenfeld.
• You may develop a fever.
• The pain is more intense.

Many ear infections are caused by bacteria and can be treated with a course of antibiotics.

If you have an ear infection, you may also:

• Have difficulty sleeping
• Feel dizzy

Diagnosing an Ear Infection

To find out whether you have an ear infection, your doctor will use an otoscope to look for signs of infection inside your ear Such signs include:

• Bulging eardrum due to fluid and pus behind the eardrum; the fluid buildup is called “effusion. ”
• An eardrum responding less flexibly than normal; this is checked using a pneumatic otoscope.
• Cloudiness of the eardrum — “Usually the eardrum looks like a clear shower curtain,” says Rosenfeld.
• Some loss of hearing; but Rosenfeld says hearing tests are not helpful for diagnosing ear infection.

Ear Infection Post-Treatment

Once you have completed a course of antibiotics to treat the ear infection, you may still have fluid behind your eardrum. “Part of the natural history of an ear infection is that you are going to have some fluid left over for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months as part of the healing phase,” explains Rosenfeld.

If a couple of months have passed and you still have problems with your hearing, you will need to talk to your doctor about hearing tests. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery provides more information on ear infections and hearing loss.

Earaches won’t last forever, and you can manage the pain to get some relief. A visit to the doctor will help you figure out what is causing your earache — and whether there is something more you can do to relieve the pain.

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Treating with Medication and Home Remedies

The common cold may cause ear pain due to congestion or a complication of the infection. Over-the-counter and medical treatments may help relieve ear pain.

The common cold occurs when a virus infects your nose and throat. It can cause various symptoms, including a runny nose, cough, and congestion. You might also have mild body aches or a headache.

Sometimes a cold can also cause pain in or around the ear. This usually feels like dull ache.

The earache may happen during or after a cold. In either case, it’s possible to relieve the pain and feel better.

Read on to learn why ear pain occurs during a cold, which remedies to try, and when to see a doctor.

When you have a cold, an earache might be caused by one of the following reasons.

Congestion

The eustachian tube connects your middle ear to your upper throat and back of your nose. Normally, it stops excessive air pressure and fluid from accumulating in your ear.

However, if you have a cold, mucus and fluid from your nose can build up in your eustachian tube. This may block the tube, causing ear pain and discomfort. Your ear may also feel “plugged” or full.

Typically, the ear congestion will get better as your cold goes away. But sometimes, it can lead to secondary infections.

Middle ear infection

A middle ear infection, called infectious otitis media, is a common complication of the cold. It occurs when viruses in your nose and throat enter your ear through the eustachian tube.

The viruses cause fluid buildup in the middle ear. Bacteria can grow in this fluid, causing a middle ear infection.

This can lead to ear pain, along with:

• swelling
• redness
• difficulty hearing
• green or yellow nasal discharge
• fever

Sinus infection

An unresolved cold can lead to a sinus infection, also called infectious sinusitis. It causes inflammation in your sinuses, which include the areas in your nose and forehead.

If you have sinusitis, you may experience ear pressure. This can make your ear hurt.

Other possible symptoms include:

• yellow or green postnasal drainage
• congestion
• difficulty breathing through your nose
• facial pain or pressure
• headache
• toothache
• cough
• bad breath
• poor sense of smell
• fatigue
• fever

Most causes of cold-induced ear pain get better on their own. But you can use home remedies to manage the pain.

Hot or cold compress

To ease pain or swelling, place a heat or ice pack on your affected ear.

Always wrap the pack in a clean towel. This will protect your skin from the heat or ice.

Sleep position

If only one ear is affected, sleep on the side with the unaffected ear. For example, if your right ear is painful, sleep on your left side. This will decrease pressure on your right ear.

You can also try sleeping with your head on two or more pillows, which is thought to reduce pressure. This can strain your neck, though, so use caution.

Nasal rinse

If your earache is due to a sinus infection, try a nasal rinse. This will help to drain and clear your sinuses.

Hydration

Drink lots of fluids, regardless of what’s causing your earache. Staying hydrated will loosen mucus and speed up recovery.

Rest

Take it easy. Resting will support your body’s ability to fight off a cold or secondary infection.

Along with home remedies, a doctor may suggest these treatments for ear pain.

Over-the-counter pain relievers

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help reduce your pain and fever.

For an earache, it’s recommended that you take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. For treating an earache in children younger than 6 months, check with your doctor about medication type and dosage.

Always follow the package’s directions. Ask a doctor about the appropriate dose.

Decongestants

OTC decongestants may help decrease swelling in the nose and ears. Decongestants can improve how you feel, but they won’t treat the cause of an ear or sinus infection.

Decongestants are available in several forms, including:

• nose drops
• nasal sprays
• oral capsules or liquid

Again, follow the package’s instructions. This is especially important if you’re giving decongestants to a child.

Ear drops

You can also use OTC ear drops, which are designed to relieve pain in the ear. Read the directions carefully.

If your eardrum has burst, ear drops may cause problems. Talk to a doctor first.

Antibiotics

Normally, antibiotics aren’t necessary to treat ear infections or sinusitis. But if you have chronic or severe symptoms, and there’s concern that it’s a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe them.

When you have a cold, taking common cold medications can help manage your symptoms. However, they might not necessarily make your earache go away.

Additionally, taking cold medicines with OTC pain relievers can do more harm than good. That’s because they often share some of the same ingredients.

For example, Nyquil contains acetaminophen, which is the active ingredient in Tylenol. If you take both Nyquil and Tylenol, you could consume too much acetaminophen. This is unsafe for your liver.

Similarly, prescription drugs can interact with OTC medicines. If you’re taking any kind of prescription medication, talk to a doctor before taking OTC cold medicines or pain relievers.

It’s also important to be mindful of:

• Cold medications for young children. If your child is younger than 4 years old, don’t give them these medications unless their doctor says so.
• Aspirin. Avoid giving aspirin to children and teenagers. Aspirin is considered unsafe for this age group due to the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.
• Oils. Some people claim garlic, tea tree, or olive oil can help to clear an ear infection. But there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support these remedies, so use caution.
• Cotton swabs. Avoid putting cotton swabs or other objects inside your ear.

Cold-induced ear pain often resolves on its own.

But if you notice any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• symptoms that persist for a few days
• worsening symptoms
• severe ear pain
• fever
• hearing loss
• change in hearing
• earache in both ears

These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition.

Your doctor will use several methods to determine what’s causing your earache. These may include:

• Medical history. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and history of ear pain.
• Physical examination. They will also look inside your ear with a tool called an otoscope. They’ll check for swelling, redness, and pus here, and they’ll also look inside your nose and throat.

If you have chronic ear pain, your doctor may have you see an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

It’s typical to have ear pain during or after a cold. Most cases aren’t serious and usually go away on their own. Rest, OTC pain relievers, and home remedies like ice packs can help you feel better.

Avoid taking common cold medications and pain relievers at the same time, as they can interact and cause problems.

If your ear pain is very severe, or if it lasts for a long time, see a doctor.

Earache with colds

Ears hurt with a cold

Whatever the time of the year is outside the window, none of us is immune from a cold: in the summer heat, you really want to drink an icy liquid. The result of momentary bliss is a cold. And instead of lying on the beach with friends, you have to stay at home, taking the necessary procedures. But especially the risk of getting sick increases in autumn – the spring period, when slush, cold and piercing wind, otherwise you don’t want to “still” or “already” pull on a bunch of things, including a hat. It is in this situation that you can most often get hypothermia and, accordingly, earache with a cold.

Causes of pain in the ears with a cold

Pain symptoms in the hearing aid can be the result of many diseases, but the most commonly diagnosed pathology is otitis media, or, as it is popularly called, the common cold.

Causes of pain in the ears with a cold are often associated with a decrease in the body’s defenses.

The second, most likely source of the symptoms in question may be pathogenic flora, bacterial or infectious damage to the tissues of the outer and / or inner ear.

But one should not immediately make such a diagnosis for oneself, since the source of pain, perhaps, has nothing to do with the infection. For example, fluid accumulated in the ear is a consequence of an inflammatory process or a banal visit to the pool, followed by going outside, which has a pressing effect on the eardrum. The water that gets into the auricle, with a sharp cold wind outside or low temperature, cools down, thereby causing an inflammatory process. In this case, all pain symptoms will disappear as soon as health is restored.

But a cold affects not only the tissues of the ear canal directly. Everyone knows that it usually starts in the throat or nose. As a rule, diseases localized in these human organs often give pain in the ear, although such symptoms are less intense.

Otitis media is the most commonly diagnosed disease, often developing after an untreated or “carried on the legs” cold, which was infectious or viral in nature. Otolaryngologists divide acute otitis into purulent and catarrhal. The essence of the difference is that the latter proceeds without the formation of abscesses, and in the case of diagnosing the former, the ear canal is filled with pus produced by pathogenic flora, which must be removed, while sanitizing the cavity.

The cause of the pain can also be swelling that has affected the tissues of the auditory tube, eliminating the edema with narrowing preparations, it is possible to get rid of the unpleasant symptom.

Symptoms of earache with colds

We begin to feel the onset of a cold when uncomfortable symptoms appear that begin to disturb a sick person. And the symptoms of earache with a cold are just one of them.

Usually it all starts with a sore throat or itching inside the auricle. Gradually, a cold begins to “grow” with other symptoms. It may be a combination of all the factors listed below, or only some of them may appear.

• Ear congestion, decreased sound threshold.
• The appearance of problems with sleep. The pain in the ear simply does not allow you to fall asleep normally, exhausting.
• Feverish condition. Body temperature may rise up to 40 C.
• Constant background noise that haunts the patient.
• Liquid discharge of a greenish, white or yellowish, rarely brown, tint. This fact may indicate perforation of the tympanic membrane, which arose as a result of an infectious lesion of the organ.
• Irritability.
• Pain when swallowing.
• Dizziness.

After a person has caught a cold, the pain does not begin to disturb immediately, but only after a certain time period has passed, when the inflammatory process has already started and is rapidly progressing. The main thing is not to miss the time and start therapy during this period, otherwise the inflammation will also affect the inner part of the auditory canal, which is more serious. The intensity of the shooting pain becomes unbearable.

Diagnosis of ear pain in colds

Before deciding on a pathology, you must make an appointment with a doctor. In this case, such a specialist is an otolaryngologist. Diagnosis of pain in the ears with a cold begins with an examination by a specialist of the ear canal using a special ENT – an instrument – an otoscope.

The tympanic membrane not damaged by the disease has a smooth, slightly transparent grayish-pink tint.

An indicator of the disease is the hyperemic mucosa of the canal, its swelling, the presence of other pathological symptoms.

Using a pneumatic otoscope, the doctor checks for the presence or absence of fluid. A small volume of air is introduced into the passage. This is necessary to get the vibration of the eardrum. If the required response force is not observed, then there is fluid accumulation in the passage.

With clinical indications, tympanometry is performed, which makes it possible to diagnose the infectious nature of the disease.

Treatment of ear pain in colds

A cold, it would seem, is not such a dangerous disease, but how many unpleasant hours and days does it bring to a person who has suffered from it? Therefore, at the first signs of its onset, it is necessary to contact a qualified specialist who, having made the correct diagnosis, will give the necessary recommendations and prescribe treatment therapy.

The treatment of ear pain during a cold has two main goals – the removal of pain and the relief of the inflammatory process, bringing the patient’s body to full recovery.

If the patient has begun to solve the problem when the disease has not yet passed into a severe phase, it is quite possible to get by with special drops that will extinguish inflammation, and, consequently, relieve the person of pain. In this case, the otolaryngologist prescribes analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

As painkillers, paracetamol, spazgan, celecoxib, phenazone, maxigan, metamizole sodium, analgin, spazdolzin, meloxicam and others can be prescribed.

Paracetamol is prescribed to the patient in the dosage:

• Adults and adolescents (over twelve years of age) – one to two tablets two to four times a day, but the daily amount of medication taken should not exceed 4 g.
• Younger children between the ages of six and twelve usually take half or a whole tablet four times a day.
• For very young patients who are already three months old, but not yet six years old, the dosage is calculated individually at 10 mg per kilogram of the baby’s weight.

Contraindications for taking paracetamol include severe kidney and / or liver dysfunction, alcoholism, anemia, hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, as well as the period of the first trimester of pregnancy.

To stop inflammation, the following are usually prescribed: ibuprofen, thiaprofenic acid, indomethacin, naproxen, piroxicam, fenbufen, ketoprofen and others.

Ibuprofen is administered orally orally, immediately after a meal. With a moderate intensity of pain symptoms, the patient should take 1.2 g per day.

At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to introduce ibuprofen into the treatment protocol if the patient has a history of ulcerative colitis, perforation or ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, hematopoietic disorders, vision problems, severe kidney and liver dysfunction, amblyopia, as well as hypersensitivity to one or more drug components.

If the inflammatory process has passed into a difficult stage, accompanied by severe pain and purulent discharge, then it will not be possible to cope with the problem without the help of antibiotics. Their intake is guaranteed to rid the body of the infection and speed up the recovery itself.

Can be prescribed: anauran, otofa, sofradex, normax (norfloxacin), otipax, otinum, tsipromed, candibiotic and others.

Candibiotic ear drops are applied topically. Four to five drops should be instilled into the ear canal three to four times throughout the day. The duration of the therapeutic course is from seven to ten days, but relief can already be expected in three to five days.

Contraindications include increased intolerance to the component composition of the drops, as well as perforation of the eardrum. Do not use candibiotic for the treatment of children whose age has not reached six years.

If the inflammation affects the tissues of the outer ear, then antiseptic ointments and solutions are prescribed. So warming applications based on boric acid or alcohol-vodka compresses can be applied, which are applied to the suffering organ for 10-15 minutes.

Homeopathic remedies are also used, but they are not so effective in severe forms of the disease.

In the presence of purulent discharge, doctors often prescribe a myringotomy (ear tubes) to help drain pus and accumulated fluid. The attending physician takes this step if the discharge has been observed for more than three months. The second indication for its use may be frequent infections that recur in the ear canal.

To save the patient from the accumulation of pathological secretions, the doctor, through the hole in the eardrum, gently feeds a thin tube made of special plastic or metal. Depending on the effectiveness of the treatment process, such a tube is installed in the ear for a period of eight months to one and a half years. After the need for it disappears, it goes out on its own. If necessary, this period can be extended, but this decision remains in the competence of a specialist.

Earache remedy for colds

When pain symptoms appear, many of our compatriots, ignoring the appeal to the doctor, try to be treated on their own, which is not only futile, but also simply dangerous, especially if the disease has passed into the acute phase of the course. Indeed, in the acute form of the flow, warming compresses are strictly prohibited, and it is unacceptable to use drugs in the form of ear drops. Therefore, a remedy for earache with a cold should only be prescribed by a qualified specialist. It is the doctor who is able to correctly assess the clinical picture and prescribe an effective drug treatment.

In the treatment of ear pain, mainly topical drugs are used. Often in the prescription list you can see, with a mild form of a cold, drops such as otinum, otipax, sofradex and their analogues.

With the progression of the disease and the transition of otitis into the stage of acute illness, the above drops are usually no longer used, so as not to aggravate the situation. The emphasis is on stronger broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Quite often, modern methods of treatment in the fight against pyogenic bacteria in the middle ear use laser therapy.

The insidiousness of a cold is that its first symptoms are well felt by the sick, while it is almost impossible to decide on a complete recovery without the help of a doctor. Therefore, if a person did not visit a specialist, but took treatment on his own, based on the recommendations of a pharmacist from a pharmacy, then an untreated disease threatens to develop into a chronic condition with a sluggish pathology, which increases the risk of relapse of exacerbation of otitis media.

Folk remedies for earache with colds

Colds have haunted mankind since the moment when it began to perceive itself as an individual, separated from the animal world. For all the time of the conscious existence of mankind, he managed to accumulate considerable experience in the treatment of a particular disease.

The range of recipes that can relieve pain symptoms that manifest themselves in the ear area is also wide enough. Folk remedies for earache with a cold are numerous, but we will give only a few of them in the article.

• Lavender oil, thuja oil, alcohol tincture of calendula or mint will help relieve pain. Five drops of medicine should be instilled several times throughout the day, and the pain will gradually fade away.
• You can put a bandage on a sore ear from medical cotton wool or a napkin soaked in vodka or alcohol diluted with water. Keep the warming procedure for twenty minutes.
• Removes the tinnitus that often accompanies pain by simply chewing a candy clove.
• You can try to remove the inflammatory process using hot bags of salt. For this, a canvas bag is taken, well-heated salt is poured into it. It must be applied to the affected area every hour and a half. The procedure should be repeated until the pain syndrome disappears and the inflammation stops.
• Horseradish juice is used as ear drops. Two drops are enough three times a day and the pain, and with it the disease, gradually recede.
• Garlic oil is also used, which today can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently. For the medicine, you need 100 ml of any vegetable oil that is very hot, but not subject to boiling. Two garlic cloves, previously crushed or chopped with a knife, are introduced into it. Let it brew and drain. From gauze, bandage or cotton wool, make a turunda (roll up a flagellum), moisten it in the resulting solution and carefully place it in the sore ear, leaving it for ten minutes. This composition is an excellent disinfectant that inhibits fungal organisms and microbes.
• Against the background of a cold, you should eat a lemon every day along with its zest.
• Propolis tincture can be prepared. Take 10 g of the bee product and place it in the refrigerator for a while, after which it will be easy to grind it on a grater. The resulting shavings are placed in a vessel made of dark glass, where add 70 ° – wine alcohol. The liquid should cover the propolis. Cork the vessel and leave for eight to ten days to brew in a cool, dark place. The drug must be shaken several times a day (up to five). After the time has elapsed, the tincture should be rearranged for 10 – 12 hours in the refrigerator. The medicine can be drained and used. Before use, taking a few drops in proportions of 1: 1, dilute the tincture with water. Soak turunda in liquid (made of cotton wool or gauze) and place for twenty minutes in a sore ear. If there is a strong burning sensation, it is better to remove the drug.
• Turundas soaked in onion juice show themselves well, put in a sore ear for half an hour.
• A fresh geranium leaf will help relieve pain and inflammation. It can be used both in the form of a crushed gruel, which is placed in the ear canal, and in the form of a folded tube. But for this, the folded sheet is cut at a right angle and placed inside with a cut. Next, put a piece of cotton wool on the ear and press it with a scarf tied around the head. Change the leaf periodically.
• You can take a mixture of two oils: linseed and onion. Apply it on cotton wool and place it in the ear for three hours. After the specified period, change the swab, laying a new portion of oil.
• For compresses, prepared tincture from the rhizome of calamus is also suitable. Crushed raw materials (ten grams) pour 100 ml of vodka and put in a dark, cool place for ten days. Daily three to four drops should be dripped into both ears. At the same time, this tincture is also taken orally (orally), 30 drops each.

However, it should be noted that no matter how safe traditional medicine methods seem, they should be used only with the permission of the attending physician and, often, in conjunction with medications.

Treatment of ear pain in case of a cold at home

When making a diagnosis – otitis media – only if a severe form of the disease is detected, the otolaryngologist can refer the patient to inpatient treatment. In most cases, ear pain is treated with a cold at home.

In this case, the doctor must fully describe the regimen for taking medications and the corresponding procedures. Quite widely in the treatment of the pathology under consideration, methods and formulations of alternative medicine are used. It should only be remembered that all these activities can be carried out at home only with the permission of your doctor. So the patient will save himself from many problems and complications, while coming to a full recovery in a shorter period of time.

It will not be superfluous to know a number of medical recommendations, the use of which will allow you to avoid a number of errors in treatment, while maintaining your health.

• Warm compresses can be used if body temperature does not exceed 38°C.
• Oil applications can also be used in the treatment, but they are less practical. For example, heated camphor or vegetable oil. But the warming effect of such compresses lasts longer. It can be kept up to six hours.
• Before injecting medication into the ear, it is advisable to flush the cavity with 3% hydrogen peroxide. The procedure is performed lying on your side. Seven to eight drops of liquid are injected into the ear. You should lie down like this for ten minutes. If both ears are affected by inflammation, a similar procedure is carried out for the other ear canal.

Earache drops for colds

In stopping the problem under consideration, one of the first places is given to topical drugs used in the form of a solution that is instilled into the ear.

Drops from pain in the ears with a cold have different pharmacodynamics, therefore, based on the existing concomitant symptoms, one or the other is signed. The most effective drug for the existing clinical picture is prescribed only by the attending physician.

These drugs may have vasoconstrictive, anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic properties.

With otitis media, the medicine is administered warm with a medical pipette. The temperature of the liquid should be around 36 – 37 degrees.

Most often, when diagnosing otitis media, doctors prescribe drops that have antibacterial and analgesic qualities: albucid, otipax, anauran, sofradex, otinum, tsipromed.

Otium is usually indicated in inflammatory conditions affecting the middle ear, and also in cases of acute catarrh of the outer tissues. The active active compound of the drug is choline salicylate, which allows you to have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect on the body.

It is recommended to use the drug in question three to four times throughout the day, injecting three to four drops into the sore ear.

The instillation procedure itself is simple, but it still needs to be followed. The patient lies on his side, with the affected ear up. In this position, instillation is performed, after which the person should lie down for another two to three minutes.

Such drugs should not be used if the patient has hypersensitivity to one or more components of the administered drug, as well as if there is a perforation of the eardrum.

Otipax is used to relieve cold manifestations of any etiology. Moreover, in addition to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory action, this medicine also has characteristics that allow you to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, delay their reproduction and development.

Like the previous drops, it is used topically, twice – thrice a day, four to five drops. This drug has practically no contraindications, so it is approved for treatment even in infants.

Contraindications should only include hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, as well as the presence of mechanical damage to the eardrum, the possibility of developing an allergic reaction to lidocaine.

Despite the fact that otipax is not an antibiotic, it is actively and quite effectively used in the treatment of otitis media.

Sofradex can be found on pharmacy shelves, both in the form of ointments and drops. The pharmacological characteristics of Sofradex make it possible to stop the symptoms of otitis media from any etiological source. It has a wide spectrum of action: a strong antibiotic that effectively kills pathogens, an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine.

Sofradex equally effectively acts on both gram-negative and gram-positive types of bacteria.

The medicine is injected into the diseased ear two – three drops three times – four times during the day.

The drug has a number of contraindications, which include increased intolerance to the patient’s organisms of the components of the drug, viral or fungal infections, perforation of the eardrum, tuberculosis.

Therefore, Sofradex can only be used as prescribed by the attending doctor, eliminating all contraindications. The duration of the treatment course is no more than seven days.

Anauran drops, due to their composition (polymyxin B, neomycin, lidocaine), effectively inhibit the reproduction and further development of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Thanks to the lidocaine present in it, they have analgesic characteristics.

Anauran is indicated for use no more than seven days. It is recommended to inject four to five drops into the ear canal, making two to four approaches per day.

A contraindication to use is the increased sensitivity of the patient’s body to the components of the drug, including lidocaine.

Drops of tsipromed, the active substance of which is ciprofloxacin, appear on the pharmaceutical market as an ophthalmic drug, but, nevertheless, it also showed itself perfectly in the relief of otitis media. It has an antimicrobial effect, effectively influencing a wide range of gram-negative microflora, both active and passive.

The recommended course of therapy with tsipromed should not exceed 14 days. To achieve the desired result, the patient receives five drops three times throughout the day. After instillation, the ear hole should be closed with a cotton swab.

The medicine is unacceptable for use in case of intolerance to human organisms of its components.

Prevention of ear pain in colds

When the first signs of a cold appear, a person instinctively tries to get rid of them faster, preventing complications and worsening of the condition. Prevention of pain in the ears with a cold, both for adults and for small patients, is absolutely identical.

• Pain in the ear can be caused by an infectious disease, such as the flu. Therefore, you should protect your body and the child’s body from infectious damage. This is especially true during epidemics and the spring-autumn period, when the number of diseases rises sharply.
• Keep your immune status high. To do this, you need to regularly harden the body, properly and fully nourish it, introducing a sufficient amount of vitamins and trace elements into your diet.
• If necessary, it is worth getting vaccinated against especially dangerous viral infections.
• It is worth abandoning bad habits, and avoid passive smoking, which weakens the body. This is dangerous for both children and non-smoking adults.
• Irritants that can cause an allergic reaction should be avoided. This fact also takes away the strength of the body to resist diseases.
• Breastfeeding is desirable for babies up to one year of age. Breast milk has antibodies that can protect the baby from colds and a number of infectious lesions.
• It is necessary to regularly carry out wet cleaning and ventilation in the living room.
• When the first signs of a cold appear, it is worth visiting a doctor and starting treatment immediately.

Prognosis of ear pain in colds

It is probably almost impossible to find a person who completely ignores the pathological symptoms of a cold, including pain in the ear area. Therefore, the prognosis of ear pain with a cold is overwhelmingly favorable.

It is unlikely that there will be at least one person who has never suffered from the symptoms of a cold in his life. Especially pestering with a cold is pain in the ears. In the acute course of the disease, its intensity is very difficult to endure. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of an infection in the body, it is necessary to take adequate measures. But so that self-treatment does not lead to a worsening of the situation and complication of the disease, it is necessary to come to a consultation with a specialist in a timely manner. In our case, this is an otolaryngologist. And remember, your health is in your hands!

Is ear pain a symptom of a cold or an infection? — HealthInfo

Do your ears hurt? How do you know if it’s related to a cold or if you’ve developed otitis media, an infectious disease? We will try to explain how to distinguish these states.

Differences between the symptoms of a cold and an ear infection

Ear pain in a cold is characterized as a sharp, dull or burning pain, from mild to severe intensity. Even in a healthy ear, fluid in the middle ear cavity presses against the eardrum, causing it to vibrate.

Ear pain in colds accompanied by disturbed sleep in children and adults, jumping fever, discharge of yellow or green mucus from the nose. Since the cold goes away on its own, the earache goes away along with the rest of the symptoms. If the pain persists for a long time, this may indicate the development of an infection, in which case you should visit a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.

Ear pain can be caused by a cold virus or a secondary infection. In this case, the pain is very intense, occurs suddenly. Sensory nerve endings in the eardrum respond to increased pressure with pain. After a slight stretching of the eardrum, the pain subsides. Other symptoms of a middle ear infection (otitis media) are as follows:

• Loss of appetite. This mainly applies to infants who are bottle-fed. The change in pressure in the middle ear when swallowing further exacerbates the pain.
• Irritability.
• Lack of sleep. The pain may become more intense when you lie down (due to the movement of fluid in the middle ear cavity).
• Fever. With otitis media, the temperature can rise to 40 ° C.
• Dizziness.
• Discharge from the ear. Yellow, brown, or white fluid leaking from the ear (but not earwax) indicates a broken eardrum.
• Hearing impairment. The fluid that accumulates in the middle ear cavity disrupts the normal functioning of the eardrum, and therefore, the sound is not transmitted through the middle ear ossicles and does not enter further into the brain.
• Otitis media with exudate. The symptoms of acute otitis media may go away, but a fluid called exudate still remains in the middle ear cavity. This results in a slight temporary hearing loss.

How a middle ear infection is diagnosed

If otitis media is suspected, the doctor will examine you with a special instrument called an otoscope. Normally, a healthy tympanic membrane is pinkish-gray, transparent. When infected, the eardrum may be inflamed, swollen, or red. The doctor may also check for fluid in the middle ear using a pneumatic otoscope. This instrument blows a small amount of air into the middle ear, causing the eardrum to flex and retract. If there is fluid in the middle ear cavity, the eardrum will not be as pliable.

Another diagnostic method is tympanometry. This test uses sound and air pressure to test for fluid in the middle ear (it’s not a hearing test!).

How ear pain is treated for colds and otitis media

Most ear infections today are curable and do not cause permanent, irreversible hearing damage with proper treatment. Treatment consists of painkillers, antipyretics, antibiotics for bacterial infection, and/or monitoring of symptoms.

Ear pain relief

Acetaminafen or ibuprofen helps relieve ear pain during a cold or fever over 38. 9C. These drugs relieve pain for a couple of hours (pain increases at night).

Antibiotics for ear infection

Antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause the infection. They are not needed for ear pain associated with a cold (viral infection). Antibiotics can cause nausea, diarrhea, rashes, fungal infections, and may react with other medications.

Myringtomy (incision in the eardrum) to help drain fluid from the ear

If fluid remains in the ear for more than three months, or if the child has a recurrent infection, the doctor may try the following treatment: into the eardrum a thin metal or plastic tube is inserted to facilitate the outflow of fluid. This outpatient procedure is mostly performed on children under general anesthesia. The tube remains in the ear cavity for eight to 18 months, then falls out on its own. In some cases, the doctor may place the tube for a longer time.

What happens if you don’t treat a middle ear infection?

If left untreated, a middle ear infection can lead to serious long-term consequences, which include:

• Inner ear infection mastoid process of the temporal bone)
• Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord)
• A speech disorder in children
• Facial palsy

Call your pediatrician immediately if your child has the following symptoms:

• Wryneck or stiff neck
• Child quickly tired lingers, reacts badly and cannot be comforted

Call the pediatrician also if the child has the following symptoms:

• The child has pain or fever for more than 48 hours
• Do you have questions or concerns

How to prevent ear pain from a cold or middle ear infection

There are ways to prevent ear pain in both children and adults. Frequent change of home environment is required. Sometimes surgical treatment is also required. Discuss the following preventive measures with your doctor:

• Protect your baby from colds, especially in the first year of life. Most ear infections start with a cold.
• Ear infections can develop after the flu, so talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot.
• Most children are vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, which protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae , the most common cause of middle ear infections. If you are not sure if your child is vaccinated, ask your doctor. The vaccine is usually given to children under two years of age.
• Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke as it increases the incidence and severity of ear infections.
• Control your allergies. Inflammation caused by allergies contributes to the development of a middle ear infection.
• If possible, breastfeed your baby for the first 6-12 months of life.