Ear pain is common in children, but it can also occur in adults. An earache can affect one or both ears. The majority of the time, it is seen that it affects only one year. It can be a constant pain or the kind of pain which may occur between intervals or may come and go. It may create a dull, burning, or sharp sensation in the ears. There are many home remedies for ear pain. You can use over-the-counter medications or can help yourself at home with the help of cold and heat therapy. However, we do not initiate the use of medicines without the prior permission of the doctor. If you or anyone you know is going through the underlying symptoms of ear pain, you can connect with the experts of Aster RV Hospital.
Ear pain symptoms
Ear pain can be the cause of ear infections, or fever. It can lead to hearing loss and may come and go within intervals. In children, ear pain seems to be fussy and irritable. They often tug or rub the ears, can use anything to irritate the ear, prevent itching, etc.
Ear pain can develop because of an ear infection. This may include the following symptoms:
- ear pain
- impaired hearing
- fluid drainage from the ear
In children, there can be chances of more symptoms. These symptoms may include:
- ear pain
- difficulty responding to sounds
- fever
- Feeling like the ear is full of dust
- difficulty while sleeping as the pain may persis overnight
- pulling the ear because of the irritation
- Crying
- Acting irritable because of the pain or discomfort
- headache
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- loss of balance
What is the most probable cause of ear pain?
Ear infection, irritation, or any face or cheek pain, can be the cause of ear pain. It can be the referred pain that may occur at other sites and may radiate towards the era. For example, there can be chances that the child may have jaw pain or tooth pain, this can be felt in the ears. The probable cause of ear pain include:
Ear infections
An ear infection is one of the common medical issues that may affect both children and adults. It can occur in the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear. Outer ear infections can be caused by a few activities like swimming, wearing hearing aids, and headphones. It can damage the outer skin of the ear canal and may create the sensation of burning or persistent pain in the ear. In case of ear infection, skin in the ear gets scratched. The entry of water softens the ear canals and can make a breeding place for the development of bacteria. Middle ear infections can be the cause of respiratory tract infections. Most of the time, people who are affected by cold often suffer because of ear infections or ear pain. There can be a chance of building up fluid that may become the breeding place for bacteria.
Other common causes of earaches
- change in pressure, that is caused by flying on a plane
- earwax buildup
- The entry of any kind of foreign objects like bees or dust
- strep throat
- sinus infection
- Trapping of water or shampoo or any other fluid in the ears
- Using the cotton swabs and irritating the ear hardly
What are the home remedies for ear pain?
Until you are waiting for your turn to come for a doctor’s appointment, you can treat your ear pain at home. Following are the ready-to-use treatments that may help you with the pain. You can try out the following steps:
- You can apply a cold washcloth to your ear. It may give you temporary relief
- Try to avoid getting your ear filled with water while having a bath or while washing your face
- Sit upright to avoid pressure on your ears
- You can use over-the-counter drops or medications
- Can go for the over-the-counter pain relievers
- Try to chew gum- it may relieve pressure
- Try to distract the mind of your child by feeding them. It may help them not to feel the pain for sometime
People may think that ear pain is a minor nuisance and it may go away itself. This can be the reason for some people but for others, it is a deliberate pain that disturbs them while having a healthy sleep. Ear pain is unbearable, can create difficulty while you eat, sleep or do any important work. In the case of children, it can increase irritability and may harm them. People who are experiencing ear pain should talk to a doctor. However, they can also use these over-the-0counter home remedies that may help them have some temporary relief until they have their turn with the doctor.
How can you treat ear pain medically?
Despite home remedies for ear pain, you can also use over-the-counter medications or ear drops. If you have consulted your doctor and have received the medications, do not try to stop immediately after your first relief. The pain may come and go. This can further lead to persistent ear infection. If the wax build-up is causing you to have ear pain, you can use the ear drops to soften the ear wax. This may cause the ear wax to come out on its own. You can also consult your doctor to have the wax out of your ear through certain procedures like ear lavage. Ear pain can also be the cause of common cold, sinusitis infection, jaw pain or tooth pain, or other symptoms. If you have persistent pain in your ear, try to consult the doctor for immediate release.
Conclusion
You can try out some preventive measures if you have continuous pain in your ears. Try to avoid secondhand or direct smoking. The smoke may get clogged in the ears or sense organs that could be a sign of infection. Keep yourself away from foreign objects or prevent the use of pencil or any pointed thing to control itching in your ears. Also, avoid the triggers like duster and pollen. It may harm your ear strength.
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