Definition
An earache can be sharp, dull, or burning pain. The pain may be temporary or constant.
Causes
Ear pain in children is often caused by a buildup of fluid and pressure behind the eardrum, in the area called the middle ear. The middle ear is connected to the nasal passages by a short narrow tube, the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube allows normal fluids to drain out of the middle ear, and helps keep the pressure in your ear equalized.
A cold or allergy can block the Eustachian tube due to inflammation and the buildup of secretions. This is especially likely in small children, because their Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal. Closing of the Eustachian ...
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Definition
An earache can be sharp, dull, or burning pain. The pain may be temporary or constant.
Causes
Ear pain in children is often caused by a buildup of fluid and pressure behind the eardrum, in the area called the middle ear. The middle ear is connected to the nasal passages by a short narrow tube, the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube allows normal fluids to drain out of the middle ear, and helps keep the pressure in your ear equalized.
A cold or allergy can block the Eustachian tube due to inflammation and the buildup of secretions. This is especially likely in small children, because their Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal. Closing of the Eustachian tube prevents the normal flow of fluid from the middle ear. The fluid begins to build up, which can cause stuffiness, pain, hearing loss , and an ear infection .
Ear pain in adults is less likely to be from ...
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Considerations
The symptoms of an ear infection may include:
Many children will have temporary and minor hearing loss during, and right after, an ear infection. Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases the more infections a child has.
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Other Names
Otalgia; Pain - ear
Home Care
The following steps may help an earache:
- A cold pack or cold wet wash cloth applied to the outer ear for 20 minutes may reduce pain.
- For children old enough to safely chew gum, chewing may help relieve the pain and pressure of an ear infection.
- If a child is uncomfortable lying down, resting in an upright position can help reduce pressure in the middle ear.
- Olive oil or over-the-counter ear drops are gentle and effective, as long as the eardrum has not ruptured. Prescription drops, such as Auralgan, are also effective for pain relief.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, ...
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Prevention
The following steps can help prevent earaches:
- Avoid smoking near children. Smoking has been shown to cause millions of ear infections each year in children.
- Prevent outer ear infections by not putting objects in the ear, and drying the ear after bathing or swimming.
- Take steps to control allergies. In particular, avoid allergy triggers. Steroid nasal spray may help reduce ear infections. However, over-the-counter sedating antihistamines and decongestants do NOT prevent ear infections.
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References
American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Management of Acute Otitis Media. Diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Pediatrics . 2004 May;113(5):1451-65. Review.
