Effectiveness, Methods, Safety, Ear Wax, Infect

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Some people use a few drops of olive oil to reduce earwax buildup or treat an ear infection. While more research is needed, it may be safe to give this home remedy a try.

Olive oil is one of the most common cooking oils and a staple in the Mediterranean diet. It has many health benefits too, including lowering your risk of cancer, heart disease, and other conditions.

It’s also a traditional remedy for removing ear wax and treating ear infections. Read on to learn more about the effectiveness of using olive oil in your ears and how to try it for yourself.

For ear wax

Ear wax is produced by glands at the entrance to your ear canal to lubricate and protect your skin. It usually doesn’t need to be removed. However, a buildup of wax can sometimes affect your hearing, cause discomfort, or interfere with hearing aid use. It can also trap bacteria, increasing your risk of developing an ear infection.

There aren’t many large, high-quality studies about the effectiveness of olive oil for removing ear wax. A 2013 study followed participants who applied olive oil to their ears every night for 24 weeks. Over time, olive oil actually increased the amount of ear wax. However, applying olive oil to the ear just before having a doctor remove extra ear wax did seem to help ensure that all the wax was removed.

When it comes to removing ear wax, it’s best to stick with ear drops specifically designed for removing ear wax. You can purchase these on Amazon.

For ear infection

Some people also use olive oil to treat ear pain caused by an infection. Olive oil does have some antibacterial properties, but it’s unclear whether it kills the types of bacteria that cause ear infections.

Still, a 2003 study found that herbal ear drops containing olive oil helped to reduce pain from an ear infection in children. Keep in mind that these drops also contained soothing herbs, such as lavender and calendula, in addition to olive oil.

While there’s no clear evidence about the effectiveness of olive oil on its own for common ear problems, it’s also not associated with any serious health consequences, so you can still try it to see for yourself.

To apply drops to your ear, use a glass dropper or you can dip a cotton swab in olive oil and allow the excess to drip into your ear. Don’t put the cotton swab or any other object in your ear.

You can use room-temperature olive oil, though some people prefer to warm it up in a pan over low heat. Make sure to test the temperature on your skin first. The oil should be just slightly warm, not hot.

Follow these instructions to safely apply olive oil to your ears at home:

1. Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
2. Gently pull your outer part of your ear back and up to open your ear canal.
3. Put two or three drops of olive oil in the opening of your ear.
4. Gently massage the skin at the front of the entrance to your ear canal to help the oil work its way in.
5. Remain on your side for 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe away any extra oil that drips from your ear when you sit up.
6. Repeat in the other ear if needed.

Tailor the application to your need, and contact your doctor if you aren’t seeing the desired results:

• For ear wax removal, do this once a day for one or two weeks. If you’re not feeling any relief by then, contact your doctor. Remember, long-term use of olive oil in your ear may lead to even more built-up wax.
• To treat an ear infection, do this twice a day for two to three days. If your symptoms aren’t getting any better after a few days, or you develop a fever, see your doctor.

It’s important to choose a high-quality olive oil if you’re using it for medicinal purposes. When choosing an olive oil, look for extra virgin olive oil. This type of olive oil isn’t chemically processed, (processing can reduce some of its therapeutic benefits).

You can also purchase olive oil–based herbal ear drops. These contain extracts from medicinal plants, such as garlic, that might provide added benefits. You can purchase these drops on Amazon.

While olive oil is generally safe, there are a few precautions you should take when using it in your ears.

Don’t use olive oil or any other product in the ear if you have a ruptured ear drum. If you’re not sure if you have a ruptured ear drum, see your doctor before using any remedy in your ear, including natural remedies.

Don’t place cotton swabs or any other object inside the ear to remove wax or relieve itching. This can easily damage your ear drum or push wax deeper into your ear. Putting cotton swabs in your ear also increases your risk of developing an ear infection. It’s also responsible for sending thousands of children to the emergency room with ear injuries each year.

Finally, make sure to use only room-temperature or just slightly warmed olive oil to avoid burning the delicate skin in your ear.

Olive oil may have some benefits for your ears, but it can sometimes do more harm than good, especially when it comes to removing ear wax.

You can try using it for a short period of time for both ear wax removal or ear pain from an infection, but make sure to follow up with your doctor if your symptoms don’t start to improve within a few days or weeks.

You should also steer clear of this natural remedy if you have a ruptured ear drum. Choose another approach that is better supported with research.

What to Do and What to Avoid

With age, osteoarthritis (OA) can cause our joints to become stiff and sore. OA can affect all joints, including our knees, hands, wrists, and feet.

Here are a few exercises you can try for relieving neck arthritis. Remember to move gently and smoothly through each exercise. Never make any sudden movements or jerk your neck. Also, stop if any exercise increases your neck pain.

This stretch works both the front and back of your neck to increase flexibility and movement:

1. Stand up straight or sit in a chair. Slowly drop your head forward until your chin touches your chest.
2. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds. Then return to your starting position.
3. Next, lean your head slightly back and hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds.
4. Repeat the stretch in each direction 5 times.

Please note that if you have OA in your neck, known as spondylosis, leaning your head slightly back may worsen symptoms.

If this is the case for you, please stop this part of the exercise. However, if it doesn’t bother you, continue with the movement to maintain mobility.

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This opposing motion works the sides of your neck:

1. Stand up straight or sit in a chair.
2. Slowly tilt your head toward your right shoulder while keeping your left shoulder down. Sometimes it helps to hold on to the bottom of your chair with your left hand to intensify the stretch.
3. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds, then return your head to center.
4. Repeat on the left side by tilting your head toward your left shoulder and holding your right shoulder down.
5. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds.
6. Repeat this whole sequence 5 times.

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Here’s another good exercise for the sides of your neck:

1. Sit in a chair or stand with good posture.
2. Slowly turn your head to the right, keeping your chin straight.
3. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds, then return to center.
4. Slowly turn your head to the left and hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Then return to center.
5. Repeat 5 times on each side.

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You should feel this stretch in the back of your neck:

1. Sit in a chair with your shoulders back and your head straight. Pull your chin straight in, like you are making a double chin.
2. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds while feeling the stretch in your neck.
3. Return to your original position.
4. Repeat 5 times.

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While you focus on your neck, don’t neglect your shoulders. Exercising your shoulders will also strengthen the muscles that support your neck.

Shoulder rolls are a basic, easy exercise to keep your shoulder and neck joints fluid:

1. Sit in a chair or stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Roll your shoulders up, back, and down in one smooth motion.
3. Repeat this movement 5 times.
4. Then reverse the motion, rolling your shoulders up, forward, and down 5 times.

At first, you may only be able to do one or two repetitions of each exercise. As you get used to the movements, you should be able to increase the number of reps.

You might feel a little discomfort when you first try a new exercise, but you should never feel pain. If any movement hurts, stop and check with your doctor or physical therapist.

Repeat these exercises every day for 6 to 8 weeks. If your pain doesn’t let up, gets worse, or you have any weakness in your arms or hands, call your doctor for advice.

Before exercise, it can also be helpful to know which movements may exacerbate stiffness.

At this time, there’s not a lot of strong clinical evidence to point to a few specific exercises that benefit or worsen neck pain.

Best practices point to a mix of manual therapy, strength training, stretching, and movement retraining.

However, exercise is believed to be one of the best forms of treatment for chronic neck pain.

While finding the best exercise routine for your body, stay tuned in to any uncomfortable sensations. From there, you can decide what does and doesn’t work.

Be mindful of these movements during exercise and in your daily routine to avoid an arthritic flare-up:

Intense trap exercises

The trapezius is a large muscle group that extends from the neck and shoulders to the middle back. Many times neck pain caused by OA is worsened with overuse of the upper trapezius muscles (the area to the sides of your neck).

If you do a lot of weighted shoulder shrugs or lifting weight above your head repetitively with poor form, the upper trapezius muscles can become overused and contribute to neck pain and poor posture.

Forward-leaning exercises

Exercises that repeatedly pull the neck muscles forward, such as cycling, should be performed with caution.

In a 2019 questionnaire featuring over 700 cyclists, neck pain was the highest self-reported discomfort while cycling compared with other body parts. The study did factor in experience level, and the more experienced cyclists reported less pain than participants with less experience.

For people managing neck arthritis, take your posture and the intensity of the workout into consideration.

Phone and internet posture

Constantly looking down at your phone or jutting your chin forward while using a computer can intensify neck pain, especially in people with diagnosed neck arthritis.

The digital culture we live in doesn’t always benefit our posture, which is why using technology mindfully with armrests and back support is so important.

In a small 2018 study about posture as a risk factor for neck pain, study participants who kept their phone at eye level and had extra neck, shoulder, and back support showed fewer signs of physical stress than those who had no chair support.

Manual labor jobs and those that require extended hours on the computer are also hard on the neck and shoulder muscles.

When possible, remember to take daily breaks to perform the exercises listed above.

Sleep

If you have neck arthritis, be aware of improper neck and spine alignment from poor pillow positioning or the wrong pillow.

Neck pain is tied to approximately 70 percent of all sleeping disorders, estimates a 2020 study.

To avoid sleeping at an awkward angle, try sleeping on your side with a pillow at an even level with the natural curvature of your neck.

If your neck is sore, talk with a doctor to find out exactly what’s causing your pain. You can visit your family doctor or contact a specialist like an orthopedist, rheumatologist, physical therapist, or osteopathic doctor.

Your doctor can also advise you on therapies to help relieve the pain, such as postural changes, yoga, or Pilates. They may also recommend pain-relieving medication or steroid injections.

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Ear Pain: How to Relieve Pain at Home

Content

• 1 How to Quickly Relieve Ear Pain: Simple Tips and Tricks
  • 1. 1 Causes of Ear Pain
  • 1.2 Symptoms and Symptoms of Ear Pain
  • 1. 3 Danger of self-treatment
    • 1.3.1 Why is self-medication dangerous?
    • 1.3.2 What problems can self-medication cause?
    • 1.3.3 How to avoid self-medication?
  • 1.4 How to properly examine the ear
  • 1.5 How to relieve ear pain?
    • 1.5.1 Ways to relieve pain:
  • 1.6 Using traditional medicine to relieve ear pain
  • 1.7 Prevention of ear diseases
  • 1.8 How to reduce pain in children
    • 1.8. 1 Apply warm compress
    • 1.8.2 Drops in the ears
    • 1.8.3 Use of medicines
  • 1.9 What to do with purulent dressing in the ear?
    • 1.9.1 1. Do not self-medicate
    • 1.9.2 2. Apply compresses
    • 1.9.3 3. Do not touch the dressing
    • 1.9.4 4. Take antibiotics
    • 1.9.5 5. Follow the doctor’s recommendations
  • 1.10 Waiting time before visiting the doctor

  90 005 1. 11 Main mistakes in the treatment of pain in the ear

  • 1.11.1 Mistake #1: Self-medication
  • 1.11.2 Mistake #2: Incorrect use of drops
  • 1.11.3 Mistake #3: Ignoring symptoms
  • 1.12 Related videos:
  • 1.13 Q&A:
    • • 1.13.0.1 What causes ear pain?
      • 1.13.0.2 What symptoms may accompany ear pain?
      • 1.13.0.3 What should I do if my ear starts to hurt?
      • 1.13.0.4 How to understand that the ear is clogged with a gray nozzle?
      • 1.13.0.5 What can cause otitis media?
      • 1.13.0.6 How is otitis media treated?

What are the causes of ear pain and what measures should be taken to relieve pain and avoid complications: home treatments and the importance of visiting a doctor.

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the caecum that can lead to serious complications if not detected and treated promptly. Various factors, from nutrition to genetics, can trigger the development of this disease. However, while appendicitis can be unpredictable at times, there are a few common signs to look out for in order to prevent possible complications.

How to recognize the symptoms of appendicitis:

Pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen: Pain usually begins with mild pain around the abdomen or navel and then focuses in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, just above the waist line. It can build up over time and be very strong, especially when moving around, coughing or sneezing. In addition, pain can be given in the right leg or in the right shoulder blade.

Nausea and vomiting: Other common symptoms of appendicitis are nausea, vomiting, and refusal to eat. Even if they don’t eat anything, patients may still experience vomiting.

Difficulty urinating: In some cases, appendicitis can cause painful or difficult urination.

What should I do if I have suspicious pain?

If you experience lower abdominal pain and/or any of the symptoms listed, contact your healthcare provider for diagnosis and to avoid possible complications. An infected appendix can lead to peritonitis, which requires surgery and can be life-threatening.

Causes of ear pain

Ear pain can be caused by various causes. One of the most common causes is acute or chronic inflammation of the middle ear. Also, the disease can be caused by an inflammatory infection, which leads to tissue edema, impaired drainage, accumulation of mucus, and given the tight boundaries of the auricle, the ear can start to hurt a lot.

Another cause may be damage to the external auditory canal. Bacteria or fungi can enter the ear canal through contact with contaminated water or hide on the surface of hygiene-related items. When they begin to multiply, the ear canal becomes irritated and starts to hurt. The pain may be accompanied by itching and swelling.

• Ear pain can also be caused by:
• Ear injury.
• Formation of superaural hematoma.
• Mechanical damage.
• Diseases of the nose and throat.
• Wax plug in the auditory canal.

Treatment should be based on the cause of ear pain. Before starting any treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor to identify the cause and apply the appropriate type of treatment.

Symptoms and manifestations of earache

Ear pain can have many causes, from a cold to an infection. It can manifest itself differently depending on the cause. For example, in the presence of inflammation of the ear, the pain may be sharp, throbbing, and accompanied by the release of purulent fluid.

If the doctor detects the presence of cerumen in case of ear pain, the symptoms will be different. The pain may be severe and outside sounds difficult to hear. The ear itself is perceived as complex and filled as if there is a cork inside.

1. Symptoms of ear pain:
2. Sharp, throbbing pain
3. Discharge of purulent fluid
4. Ear congestion
5. Itching and aching in the ear

9 0005 Hearing loss

6. Severe pain with cerumen

Risk of self-medication

Why is self-medication dangerous?

Self-medication can be dangerous, not only because of the possible side effects of the drugs you take, but also because the symptoms of many diseases are very similar to each other. For example, ear pain can be a symptom of both a common cold and a serious inflammatory process in the auricle. Lack of proper diagnosis and treatment can lead to complications and irreversible consequences.

What problems can self-medication cause?

• Wrong diagnosis and consequently wrong treatment;
• Increased symptoms or worsening of disease;
• Development of allergic reactions to drugs;
• Development of drug dependence;
• Drug overdose;
• The development of side effects when using inappropriate drugs.

How to avoid self-medication?

In case of discomfort related to health, it is better to consult a doctor. Only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis and choose the right treatment. The doctor can also give advice on relieving symptoms before visiting a medical facility.

If for some reason it is not possible to see a doctor, it is better to use safe and proven methods, such as traditional medicine or increasing the dosage of vitamins and minerals. In any case, you should not play with your own health and risk your life for the sake of saving time, money or distrust of medical care.

How to properly examine the ear

If the ear hurts, then you need to examine it to determine the cause of the pain. You can usually do this on your own, but if necessary, you should consult a doctor.

Before examining the ear, wash your hands and dry them with a dry cloth. For inspection, you can use a mirror and a lighting lamp.

Examination of the tympanic membrane is needed to rule out damage to it, for this you need to look at its color and shape. If there is fluid behind the membrane, you can feel it “squeezing” against the side wall of the outer ear.

In the event of severe pain in the inner ear, seek immediate medical attention. He will conduct a detailed examination and prescribe the necessary treatment.

How to relieve ear pain?

Ways to relieve pain:

• – Lying on your side, where the ear does not hurt, helps relieve pressure on the affected ear and also helps to improve the flow of fluid from the ear.
• Ear Treatment – Ear wash with saline solution and warm compresses to reduce swelling and relieve pain in the ear.
• Taking anti-inflammatory medicines – medicines in the form of drops and tablets can reduce swelling and relieve pain in the ear.
• Using folk remedies – The use of scientifically proven methods, such as applying onions to a sore ear, heating a salt bag, etc., can also relieve ear pain.

If the pain does not go away after 2-3 days, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the cause and treatment.

Using Traditional Medicine to Relieve Ear Pain

Aromatherapy. Some essential oils can help with ear pain. For example, tea tree oil is famous for its antimicrobial properties, which can kill bacteria and fungi that cause ear infections. Lavender oil can have both calming and anti-inflammatory effects. As a rule, a few drops of oil are brewed in an aroma lamp and the steam is breathed over for 10-15 minutes.

Compresses. One of the oldest ways to relieve ear pain is compresses. You can use hot or cold products for this. A cold compress can reduce inflammation and reduce swelling, while a hot compress can reduce pain. Usually, flaxseed or cotton is used, soaked in hot or cold water and applied to the ear for 20-30 minutes.

Folk remedies. Traditional medicine can also help with ear pain. For example, a decoction of St. John’s wort or calendula can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Walnut oil is also known for its soothing properties and can help with ear pain. However, before using any folk remedies, it is important to consult a doctor.

Ear Prevention

Ear health is essential to prevent and protect against disease. The following tips will help keep your ears in good condition:

• Keep foreign objects out of your ears. Do not use sharp objects, sticks or other non-recommended tools to clean the ears.
• Take care of your ears. Clean your ears with a soft cloth or sponge after showering or swimming. Do not overdo it with the depth of cleansing.
• Avoid contact with contaminants. Wear hearing protection or earplugs if you work/live in an environment where there are noisy machines, machinery, construction activities or other sources of traumatic noise.
• Do preventive research. Check your ears regularly, even if there is no pain or other problem. Monitor the health of your body and restore your general condition in a timely manner.

Taking the above precautions will help you avoid ear damage and long-term illness. If there is any change in hearing or pain/swelling, contact your dentist or hospital for observation and appropriate treatment.

How to reduce pain in children

Children often suffer from ear pain if they have ARVI or acute respiratory infections. Because of this, pain syndrome can reduce the quality of life of the child and cause anxiety in parents. But there are several ways that will reduce pain, alleviate the condition of the child and help him recover.

Apply a warm compress

Warm compresses can be used to relieve ear pain in children. To do this, heat the oil a little in a saucepan or in the microwave and add a few drops of spruce, laurel or rosemary essential oil to it. Then, the lotion should be applied to the sore ear and covered with a scarf or towel. The compress should not be too hot, so as not to cause a burn.

Ear drops

Ear drops can be used to relieve children’s ear pain. These can be homeopathic drops based on plant extracts, antibacterial ear drops, or drops based on anti-inflammatory ingredients. All such drops should be used only after consulting a doctor.

Medication use

Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used for severe ear pain in children. However, you should not use them without consulting a doctor and clearly taking them in accordance with the instructions.

• Warm compresses can help relieve ear pain in children;
• There are special ear drops that will help relieve pain;
• In case of severe pain, medications can be used after consulting a doctor.

What to do with purulent dressing in the ear?

1. Do not self-medicate

If a purulent dressing appears in the ear, you should not try to treat it yourself. This can lead to worsening of the condition and the development of complications. You need to see an otorhinolaryngologist.

2. Apply compresses

Compresses based on chamomile, green tea, calendula or oak bark can be used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. These products help to disinfect the ear and reduce swelling.

3. Do not touch the dressing

In case of purulent dressing, do not try to pick it up or open it yourself. This can lead to infection of other tissues or complicate the healing process. This can trigger dangerous infections that can lead to surgery.

4. Take antibiotics

If you have a purulent dressing, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to fight the infection causing the inflammation. This is necessary to prevent complications and speedy recovery.

5. Follow your doctor’s instructions

Your doctor may prescribe additional treatments, such as an ear antiseptic or a pus injection. It is necessary to follow all the recommendations of a specialist in order to quickly get rid of the problem.

Waiting time before seeing a doctor

If your ear hurts, you want to quickly find a way to relieve the pain. However, before you start treatment, you need to find out how long you need to wait before a visit to the doctor.

If you have severe ear pain combined with a high body temperature, you should immediately contact an emergency doctor.

If you cannot make an appointment with Laura soon, you can visit a therapist. He will be able to prescribe treatment or recommend the right specialist. In any case, you should not delay the visit to the doctor, as worsening the condition can lead to serious consequences.

Major mistakes in treating earaches

Mistake #1: Self-treatment

One of the most common mistakes in treating earaches is treating them without consulting a doctor. As a rule, ear pain may be associated with an infection or other disease, which will require appropriate treatment. Self-medication can only increase the risk of complications and aggravate the situation.

Error #2: Incorrect use of drops

Another common mistake is using ear drops unnecessarily or in violation of the instructions. Drops can provide quick pain relief, but misuse can lead to serious problems such as hearing loss or damage to the eardrum. Before using ear drops, be sure to read the instructions and consult your doctor.

Mistake #3: Ignoring symptoms

Another common mistake is ignoring the symptoms of an illness. If the ear hurts, it always needs attention. The disease can become serious if not treated in time. Even if the disease is not associated with an infection, immediate medical attention will help to avoid complications.

In general, if you develop ear pain, you should definitely consult a specialist and avoid self-medication or misuse of drops, and do not ignore the symptoms. Only proper treatment and medical supervision will help you quickly and safely get rid of the disease and avoid possible complications.

Related videos:

Q&A:

What causes ear pain?

Ear pain can be caused by a variety of causes: inflammation of the middle ear, obstruction of the outflow of fluid from the ear, damage to the eardrum, or the presence of cerumen. Sometimes ear pain can occur against the background of an allergic reaction or even a toothache.

What symptoms can accompany ear pain?

A feeling of fullness in the ear, buzzing in the ears, fever, headache, nausea, dizziness, and hearing loss may be symptoms of ear pain.

What should I do if my ear starts to hurt?

If you have ear pain, be sure to see a doctor. He will diagnose and prescribe treatment. While you’re waiting for your doctor’s appointment, you can try to relieve the pain with antibiotics or pain ointments, warming your ear with warm water, or massage oil applications.

How can you tell if your ear is clogged with a gray tip?

Clogging of the ear with the gray nozzle is usually accompanied by an unpleasant odor from the ear and a feeling of congestion and heaviness in the ear. If you suspect that you have wax plugs, do not try to remove it yourself, this can lead to injury to the eardrum. It is better to contact an ENT doctor who will painlessly and effectively remove the cork.

What can cause otitis media?

Inflammation of the middle ear can be caused by an infection that has entered the ear through the nasopharynx and retropharyngeal adenoids, such as with a cold. Children whose throats are round and wide are at higher risk of developing otitis media, as the outflow of fluid from the ear is disturbed. Also, inflammation of the middle ear can be caused by trauma to the eardrum or the presence of tumors.

How is otitis media treated?

Treatment for otitis media usually includes antibiotics, pain relievers, and drops to help drain fluid from the ear. If the patient has cardiovascular diseases or high blood pressure, then additional measures are prescribed, for example, physiotherapy or special drops. If the treatment fails, the decision is usually made to proceed with surgery.

Ear hurts

Arthritis

Otitis

Labyrinthite

Mastoiditis

5792

09 June

Ear hurts – the causes of the appearance, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Ear pain can be caused by diseases of different parts of the hearing organ, nearby organs, head injuries, and can also appear due to the spread of pain from other parts of the body. Such pain is caused by inflammatory, skin, neurological, dental, rheumatic, infectious pathologies.

The nature of such pain does not explain the cause of the disease. The doctor should evaluate the results of laboratory and instrumental examinations in order to clarify the diagnosis.

Types of pain in the ears

Most often, these pains are the result of otitis media – a disease of the outer, middle or inner ear.

Mastoiditis, arthritis of the temporomandibular joint, inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes – these are pathologies of nearby organs that often cause ear pain.

Ear pain can occur due to the spread of pain along the cranial nerves. For example, a toothache radiates through the auditory branch of the trigeminal nerve to the ears.

Traumatic rupture of the eardrum is the cause of ear pain due to damage from falls, blows to the head.

We will talk about the diseases that most often cause ear pain.

Possible causes

Mastoid pain

Mastoiditis, that is, purulent inflammation of the bone tissue of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, located behind the auricle, is the most characteristic complication of otitis media and a frequent consequence of its improper treatment.

Pain in otitis externa

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the outer ear, which consists of the auricle, the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane separating it from the middle ear. The main symptom of the disease is a boil – a purulent inflammation of the hair follicle that captures the sebaceous gland. Sometimes boils can appear after cleaning the ears too hard, when microtraumas form on the skin of the ear canal, through which the infection penetrates.

Otitis media pain

Behind the tympanic membrane begins the middle section of the organ of hearing. It is a small, air-filled space in the temporal bone between the external auditory meatus and the inner ear.

There are three tiny bones here: the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. The eardrum vibrates under the influence of acoustic waves. The vibrations are transmitted to the bones. Through the oval window separating the middle and inner ear, the stirrup sends a signal to the fluid that fills the inner ear – the perilymph.

Otitis media begins as a complication not of otitis externa, but of acute respiratory infections, influenza, tonsillitis.

With these ailments, an excess amount of mucus is formed, which enters the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and equalizes air pressure in both directions. If this organ becomes inflamed, eustacheitis develops – a frequent companion of otitis media.

Otitis internal pain

Otitis media is also called labyrinthitis, because the inner ear is called a labyrinth because of its peculiar shape. Its main function is to conduct sound waves and convert them into electrical impulses for the brain. The cochlea, which is part of the labyrinth, belongs to the organ of hearing. The other two parts – the vestibule of the cochlea and the semicircular canals – to the organ of balance.

Labyrinthitis is usually a complication of otitis media.

Less commonly, this disease occurs as a result of microtrauma through the tympanic membrane and middle ear with sharp objects, which are sometimes recklessly cleaned ears, or as a result of damage to the temporal bone during head injuries.

What diseases occur

Mastoid pain

Ear pain is very severe, often covering half of the head on the side of the lesion, aggravated at night.

The remaining symptoms of mastoiditis occur in severe otitis media. These are noise in the ear, severe hearing loss, fever, a significant deterioration in the general condition, suppuration from the ear, detected during otoscopy.

Pain in otitis externa

The pain gradually increases as the follicle matures, it can radiate to the jaw, neck, intensify when chewing and pressing on the tragus – a cartilaginous protrusion on the outer ear. The pain is accompanied by itching, a feeling of fullness in the ear. Hearing may deteriorate, body temperature may rise.

Otitis media pain

Pulsating, aching, shooting, often radiating to the teeth and back of the head, earache usually appears with fever. Ear pain with otitis externa and otitis media is easy to distinguish. In the first case, it intensifies if you press on the tragus, in the second it remains unchanged.

Pain due to labyrinthitis

Such pain in the ear is accompanied by hearing loss, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headaches, staggering when walking, involuntary twitching of the muscles of the eyeball.

Diagnostics and examinations

Pain in otitis externa

Otoscopy – examination of the external auditory canal and eardrum by an ENT doctor using specialized instruments.

Otitis media pain

Hearing assessment using an audiometric examination, including tuning fork tests. These are tests with tuning forks, which make it possible to determine whether hearing loss is associated with inflammation in the middle ear or with damage to the auditory nerve. Bacterial culture from the middle ear is performed to determine sensitivity to an extended spectrum of antimicrobials, radiography or CT of the temporal bone, as well as tympanometry, in which the mobility of the tympanic membrane is assessed.

Pain associated with labyrinthitis and mastoiditis

Audio and vestibulometric examinations, bacterial culture from the middle ear with the determination of sensitivity to an extended spectrum of antimicrobials, radiography or CT of the temporal bone.

The procedure in which the doctor removes material from the middle ear cavity for analysis is called tympanocentesis. This method, performed after local anesthesia, is also used to pump out pus from the middle ear cavity.

What should be done when pain occurs?

If you experience ear pain, see your doctor right away.

If the pain is accompanied by fever and hearing loss, do not go outside, call a doctor at home.

Which doctors should I contact?

Inflammatory skin diseases that cause otitis externa can be treated by a general practitioner or surgeon, but it is better to consult an ENT doctor. And only this specialist should treat otitis media and mastoiditis. An ENT doctor and a neurologist will help in the treatment of labyrinthitis.

Treatment

Mastoid pain

The basis of the treatment of mastoiditis, as well as labyrinthitis, is antibiotic therapy, which is prescribed only by a doctor. Depending on the severity of the disease, operations are used: puncture of the eardrum to ensure the outflow of pus; mastoidectomy (rarely) – removal of pus from the air cells of the mastoid process.

Pain in otitis externa

The treatment of otitis externa is based on the use of drops, ointments, creams containing antiseptics in combination with anti-inflammatory and analgesic components. According to indications, surgical treatment is used (opening of mature boils).

Otitis media pain

Drops with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are instilled into the ears, vasoconstrictor drops are instilled into the nose, reducing swelling of the nasopharynx and pharyngeal mouth of the Eustachian tube, and reducing the formation of mucus. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics. In the case of advanced otitis media, a puncture of the eardrum is used to free the middle ear cavity from pus.

Pain due to labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is treated only in a hospital by an otolaryngologist and a neurologist, and, if necessary, by an infectious disease specialist and a neurosurgeon. In addition to antibiotic therapy, a labyrinthotomy operation is often needed. This is the name of the opening by the surgeon of the semicircular canals of the ear labyrinth to ensure the outflow of pus and stop the infection from entering the cranial cavity.

Sources:

1. Clinical guidelines “Otitis externa” (children). Developed by: Union of Pediatricians of Russia, National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. – 2021.
2. Clinical guidelines “Otitis externa” (adults). Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.
3. Clinical guidelines “Otitis media acute”. Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.
4. Clinical guidelines “Chronic otitis media”. Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.