Earache why

This information is not intended to relate specifically to insurance or healthcare services provided by Southern Cross. For more articles go to the Medical Library index page. Earache also known as otalgia is a common condition that mainly affects infants and children but can also occur in adults.

It can have many causes, including:. An ear infection is a common cause of earache in children but is less likely to be a cause of earache in adults. As shown in the list above, earache is not always caused by a problem with the ear itself. Ear pain or discomfort may be due to a problem in another place, such as infections or disorders of the throat, mouth, or the joint in the jaw.

This is known as referred pain. Ears generally clean themselves and rarely if ever require cleaning. Ear wax build-up and blockage often happens when people use items like a cotton bud to try to clean their ears but end up pushing the ear wax farther into the ears and possibly causing injury to the ear.

An important part of the proper functioning of the ear is the eustachian tube, which links the middle part of each ear to the back of the throat. The eustachian tube drains fluid that is produced in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up and cause glue ear. This may lead to increased pressure behind the eardrum or an ear infection, which may be felt as pain or a blockage.

If the cause of earache is an ear infection, there may be a watery or pus-like fluid coming out of the ear. Outer ear infections infections of the tube connecting the outer ear and eardrum and middle ear infections infections of the parts of the ear behind the eardrum are very common causes of earache. Many ear infections clear up on their own without treatment in a few days or weeks, but in some cases your GP may prescribe eardrops or antibiotics. Read more about treating outer ear infections and treating middle ear infections.

Glue ear also known as otitis media with effusion, or OME is a build-up of fluid deep inside the ear, which commonly causes some temporary hearing loss. The condition tends to be painless, but sometimes the pressure of this fluid can cause earache. Glue ear will often clear up on its own, although this can take a few months. If the problem is particularly persistent, a minor procedure to place small tubes called grommets in the ear may be recommended to help drain the fluid.

Read more about glue ear. Earache can sometimes result from injury to the inside of the ear — for example, by scraping earwax from the ear canal using a cotton bud, or poking a cotton bud too far into your ear, which can puncture the eardrum.

The ear canal is very sensitive and can easily become damaged. The ear should heal on its own without treatment, but it can take up to two months for a perforated eardrum to heal.

If you have a perforated eardrum, eardrops shouldn't be used. A build-up of earwax or an object stuck inside the ear can sometimes cause earache. If there is something in your or your child's ear that seems be causing pain, don't attempt to remove it yourself, as you may only push it further inside and you may damage the eardrum.

If you have a build-up of earwax in your ear, your pharmacist will be able to recommend eardrops to soften it so it falls out naturally. In some cases, your GP will need to remove the wax once softened with eardrops by flushing the ear with water. This is known as ear irrigation. If there is an object in the ear, your GP may need to refer you or your child to a specialist to have it removed.

If you find it painful to swallow and you have a sore throat, your earache could be a symptom of a throat infection, such as tonsillitis or quinsy an abscess on one side of the back of your throat, which can sometimes make it very difficult to swallow even fluids.

Some types of tonsillitis will clear up after a few days without the need for antibiotics. But if you have quinsy, you will need to see your GP as soon as possible for treatment. You may have quinsy if your sore throat gets worse very quickly. Earache is occasionally caused by a problem with the joint of your jaw bone where the jaw meets the skull. This is known as temporomandibular joint pain and can be caused by problems such as arthritis or teeth grinding. Jaw pain can often be treated with painkillers, warm or cold compresses, and trying not to clench your jaw and grind your teeth.

Normally, your ear canal does not need to be cleaned. But sometimes ear wax does build up, become impacted and cause symptoms, usually a sensation of fullness or muffled sound as if you are wearing ear plugs. At University Hospitals, we believe having a primary care provider is essential to your health and well-being.

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