What is an Earache
Earache, or ear pain, can be caused by many things, including:
- An infection.
- Ear wax buildup.
- Ear pressure.
- Something in the ear that should not be there (foreign body).
- A sore throat.
- Tooth problems.
- Jaw problems.
Treatment of the earache will depend on the cause. If the cause is not clear or cannot be determined, you may need to watch your symptoms until your earache goes away or until a cause is found.
Follow these instructions at home:
Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms. Take these actions to help with your pain:
- Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your health care provider.Do notstop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
- Do notput anything in your ear other than medicine that is prescribed by your health care provider.
- If
directed, apply heat to the affected area as often as told by your health
care provider. Use the heat source that your health care provider
recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
- Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
- Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
- Remove the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.
- If
directed, put ice on the ear:
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
- Try resting in an upright position instead of lying down. This may help to reduce pressure in your ear and relieve pain.
- Chew gum if it helps to relieve your ear pain.
- Treat any allergies as told by your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your pain does not improve within 2 days.
- Your earache gets worse.
- You have new symptoms.
- You have a fever.
Get help right away if:
- You have a severe headache.
- You have a stiff neck.
- You have trouble swallowing.
- You have redness or swelling behind your ear.
- You have fluid or blood coming from your ear.
- You have hearing loss.
- You feel dizzy.
