Pain In the Ear – Otalgia

Earache is a common complaint especially among the children. It can often be quite severe and incapacitating. It could be due to causes locally in the ear or referred from other areas.

Common local causes

    * Boil in the ear- Severe Pain in the ear Increased Pain on moving pinna & jaw.

      Analgesics & antibiotics will be required.

    * Impacted wax – In some people excessive wax may be secreted and deposited as a plug in the ear canal leading to decreased hearing & pain. It has to be removed by syringing or instrumental manipulation. Hard wax may repair softening with wax solvents before removal.

    * Infection of ear canal ( Otitis externa ) – Excessive scratching of ear canal with match sticks or hair pins leads to trauma to the ear canal and subsequent infection. Systemic antibiotics and local application of antibiotic drops may be required

    * Otomycosis ( Fungal infection of the ear) – You may have intense itching in the ear, discomfort and watery discharge .Seen commonly in swimmers and in tropical climates. Antifungal drops may be required.

    * Foreign body in the ear – A variety of foreign bodies are seen in the ear. Children are notorious in putting all sorts of things in their ears, the common ones being pieces of paper, thermocol pieces, grain seeds, chalk pieces, beads etc. Importantly, any manipulation to take out the foreign body at home should be avoided and an ENT specialist should be consulted.

    * Acute Suppurative Otitis Media (ASOM) – It is an acute inflammation of middle ear by bacteria. This condition is commonly seen in infants and children. Factors interfering with normal functioning of eustachian tube(the duct connecting the middle ear to the mouth cavity) predispose to ASOM.

      An E.N. T specialist should be consulted in the early stage when there is a mild earache. Antibacterial therapy decongestants and antipyretics are indicated. Minor surgery- incising the drum and releasing the pus may be indicated in a few cases.

    * Trama to the ear – A slap on the ear or a very loud noise can cause traumatic rupture of tympanic membrane and pain in the ear with decreased hearing. The ear should be examined and appropriate treatment instituted.

    * Other causes – of referred pain in the ear are
      - A carious tooth
      - Impacted molar tooth
      - Acute tonsillitis

As is evident from above, pain in the ear could really be due to a wide variety of reasons and it may indeed be difficult for the patient or the attendants at home to find out the reason. A tendency to put any kind of drops or oil should strictly be avoided.

As is evident from above, pain in the ear could really be due to a wide variety of reasons and it may indeed be difficult for the patient or the attendants at home to find out the reason. A tendency to put any kind of drops or oil should strictly be avoided.

The best thing to do is to consult an E.N.T. specialist and get a thorough check up.

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