Ear pain is a symptom that occurs mainly after a long time in cold or when water or objects, such as cotton swabs and toothpicks, are introduced into the ear canal, which can lead to an ear infection or a broken eardrum. However, other causes include problems with the jaw or the growth of a tooth, for example.
To treat ear pain, it is recommended that the otolaryngologist, in the case of the adult, or the pediatrician, in the case of infants and children, be consulted to initiate the most appropriate treatment.
Causes of ear pain include
Ear infection, also known as otitis, is characterized by ear pain, itching, fever and the presence of discharge or fluid buildup in the ear. In some cases, the microorganism responsible for ear infection may also be in the throat, after local inflammation, with symptoms such as pain, discomfort and difficulty swallowing, for example. Learn to recognize the symptoms of ear infection.
What to do: If the infection does not go away on its own or if the symptoms are quite uncomfortable, it is important to go to the ORL or the family doctor for an evaluation and treatment of the ear, which is usually done with antibiotics. Indicated. In addition, pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, or anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, may also be taken to relieve symptoms as recommended by your doctor.
When there is a difference in pressure, as happens when the plane takes off or lands, for example, there may be a dizziness in the ear and the feeling that the ear is covered, which can be quite uncomfortable.
What to do: One option to relieve discomfort and avoid ear pain caused by the pressure difference is to chew gum or yawn at those times. In the baby’s case, giving a bottle of water is a good way to relieve pain. Discover other tips for relieving ear pains on the plane.
Some joint problems, such as arthritis or jaw joints that take away your breath, can also cause ear pain and there is also pain at the site of the affected joint. In case this is due to problems with the jaw joint, the ATM, for example, may also show pain when opening the mouth to yawn or chew, headaches, for example.
What to do: One way to relieve pain is to place a warm water compress next to your ear and joint to relieve pain. However, it is recommended that the ORL be consulted for more specific scans and the most appropriate treatment to be initiated. Learn more about temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and major symptoms
Tonsillitis is a throat infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi and, in addition to causing pain and discomfort in the throat, can also cause ear pain because the ear is a nearby organ.
What to do: In these cases, it is advisable to consult your doctor to start treatment with pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications. Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, may also be necessary in cases where tonsillitis is caused by bacteria.
In addition to these causes, ear pain can also be caused by the growth of teeth in the baby, the birth of wisdom teeth in adults, or problems in the teeth, such as abscesses, cavities or bruxism, for example. In these cases, it is recommended to consult your dentist to diagnose the problem and begin appropriate treatment.
To identify ear pain, especially in infants and children, the following signs should be considered:
In case of ear infection, other symptoms may also occur, such as fever greater than 38oC, fluid outlet through the ear canal, or odor near the ear. In these cases, it is recommended to consult your doctor to start appropriate treatment, which may include the use of antibiotics. Learn more about ear pain in children.
Ear pain treatment should always be guided by a doctor, after diagnosing the problem that causes pain, which may include the use of painkillers, such as acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen, or antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, in case ear pain is found to be caused by bacteria.
However, to relieve ear pain at home, you can place a hot water bag next to your ear for 15 minutes and sit down, instead of lying down, to reduce pressure in your ear. However, these home treatments should only be used to relieve pain until your doctor’s appointment and should never replace medical treatment. See also 4 tips for reducing ear pain.
It is recommended to see your doctor when your ear pain lasts longer than 3 days, worsens within the first 48 hours, or when other symptoms occur, such as a fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius, dizziness, headache or swelling of the ear.
In these cases, it is recommended to consult an otolaryngologist or family doctor so that tests can be requested and the cause can be identified, and another health care professional may indicate that he or she is more qualified to start treatment, if necessary.