Earaches can have many underlying causes, such as bacterial or viral infections, injuries or tumors. The earache radiates directly from the ear if the auricle, eardrum, ear canal or middle ear are affected by a disease.
However, there is also the possibility that ear pain can be caused by conditions in the following areas of the body:
Symptoms vary depending on what triggers the earache:
Severe ear pain can be caused by inflammation of the pinna , which should be evaluated and treated by a doctor. Injuries to the ear such as a haematoma (bruise) or a laceration should also be treated by a doctor to avoid the risk of infection of the ear cartilage.
An obstruction of the ear canal by earwax or a foreign body can also be the cause of ear pain. In this case, a foreign body sensation and, above all, a reduction in hearing are also noticeable.
An injury of the eardrum manifests itself by strong, abruptly occurring ear pain. In addition, blood or fluid often leaks from the ear canal. The eardrum injury can occur in conjunction with hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and dizziness.
Another possibility for ear pain would be an acute middle ear infection (otitis media) , which manifests itself with sudden stabbing ear pain, a throbbing in the ear, hearing loss, as well as with fever and a general feeling of illness.
In some cases, ear pain can occur as a result of dental pain from tooth or jaw infections. Likewise, misalignment of the teeth or temporomandibular joint disorders can be triggers of ear pain.
Furthermore, a bacterial inflammation of the palatine tonsils (tonsillitis) can cause stabbing pain that radiates to the ears.
In the case of an inflammation of the parotid gland (for example in the case of mumps), a painful swelling of one or both sides of the salivary gland often occurs, which can lead to ear pain.
In addition to the medical history (medical interview), an examination by an ear, nose and throat specialist is often helpful in evaluating the exact cause of the earache. The following examination practices are used:
If, despite these examinations, no cause for the earache can be diagnosed, a search is made for other pain triggers such as dental disease.
The type of treatment depends on the cause of the earache:
Earaches that are caused by inflammation in the area of the auricles can be treated locally. For example, anti-inflammatory creams or ointments are applied to the affected areas. In cases of severe inflammation, antibiotic therapy may also be necessary.
If the earache is caused by a plug of earwax, it can be removed by the doctor using certain instruments (for example, suction cups, syringes for ear irrigation). Cotton swabs should not be used as this pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal, which could damage the eardrum.
If foreign bodies are the cause of ear pain, they should always be removed by a doctor.
In most cases, an injury to the eardrum will heal on its own within 14 days. However, it is advisable to support the healing process by splinting the eardrum externally with a sheet of silicone. In the event that the hole in the eardrum still does not heal and close within two months, an artificial eardrum can be surgically implanted.
Danilo Glisic
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