Ear pain has a way of being impossible to ignore, significantly disrupting the ability to sleep and live everyday life. Understanding the root of your earache may help you decide what to do next. Read on for causes, treatment, and prevention tips for ear pain.
What Causes an Earache?
While ear infections are a significant and common cause of ear pain, there are several other potential causes as well. These aches can originate from causes inside or outside the ear, and from places you might not expect.
Earache causes include:
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: Jaw joint dysfunction that radiates into the ear
- Eustachian tube dysfunction: Pressure buildup common after colds, allergies, or altitude changes
- Earwax buildup: Can cause pressure, muffled hearing, and discomfort
- Irritation or injury: From cotton swabs, earbuds, or foreign objects
- Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa): Irritation or infection of the outer ear canal, often due to water exposure
- Barotrauma: Ear pressure injury caused by rapid altitude changes like flying
Due to nerve pathways, there are several surrounding structures that can cause earaches as well. This is known as “referred pain,” which is tied to pain-related issues stemming from the throat, sinuses, tonsils, and even teeth. In fact, acid reflux can also cause ear pain.
How to Treat an Earache
How to treat ear pain depends on the potential causes. However, there are some general remedies that can help ease your discomfort while you decide your next steps.
The best ways to relieve earaches at home include:
- Applying a warm compress against the ear for 15-20 minutes
- Taking OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage discomfort
- Staying upright or elevating your head to help relieve pressure
- Avoiding cotton swabs, which can worsen irritation or push debris deeper
Treating Adults: If the mild earache isn’t accompanied by a fever or discharge, then you may be able to manage it at home within a day or two.
Treating Kids: The bar for care is a little lower when it comes to kids. If your child is complaining about ear pain, you should have it checked out sooner rather than later.
How to Prevent Earaches
Many causes of ear pain are preventable, and a little awareness can go a long way. Here are some practical steps you can take to prevent earaches:
- Keep ears dry: Try simple methods of water removal like tilting your head and gently patting your outer ear.
- Skip the cotton swabs or use them sparingly: Cotton swabs tend to push debris deeper into your ear canal, which can cause irritation or even injury.
- Manage allergies and congestion: Congestion is among the top causes of Eustachian tube dysfunction and ear pressure.
- When flying: Try chewing gum or yawning intentionally. The Valsalva maneuver can also work as a means of prevention when flying. This involves pinching your nose and gently blowing in order to equalize pressure during takeoff and landing.
It’s also worth paying attention to issues in surrounding areas. When you have problems with jaw, teeth, throat, or sinuses, and these are left unaddressed, they can lead to ear pain over time.
When Should You See a Doctor for an Earache?
While some earaches may be mild and go away on their own, others could be pointing to significant injuries or conditions. You should see a doctor for ear pain if your pain is lasting more than a day or two, you have a fever, your hearing ability changes, or you’re experiencing discharge from your ear.
Early evaluation can make a real difference, especially if the ear pain is related to an underlying problem that won’t go away on its own. A quick visit to a healthcare provider can save you from serious discomfort.
Convenient Same-Day Care for Ear Pain
Getting evaluated for an earache is quick and straightforward, and you have multiple options for doing so. The Urgency Room provides convenient in-person care, including same-day appointments and walk-in visits, at several Twin Cities locations.
Locations include Golden Valley, Eagan, Woodbury, and Vadnais Heights. We are open until 9pm daily, and our ER-trained providers offer experienced care at a higher level than you would get at a typical urgent care.