Ear Pain - Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Published on Apr 15, 2016 and last reviewed on Oct 19, 2019 - 1 min read
Abstract
Ear pain is a common symptom, which can vary from mild to severe. Severe ear pain can even disrupt your normal day-to-day activities. Read the article to understand the cause behind your pain.
Pain in the ear is one of the most common complaints. It is present in infectious, allergic and malignant diseases of the ear and related structures.
Causes of Ear Pain
Few important diseases that cause ear pain are:
- Acute Perichondritis (swelling, redness and pain) of pinna of ear.
- Otomycosis (fungal infection of the ear).
- Furunculosis (recurring boil) in the ear canal.
- Acute otitis media (middle ear infection).
- Acute exacerbation of chronic otitis media.
- Chronic otitis media with mastoiditis (infection of the skull bone behind the ear) or mastoid abscess.
- Traumatic lesions of the ear.
- Insect bite.
Besides these, there are a few conditions where there is no disease associated with the ear, but the patient often get ear pain along with this. This is medically named as referred otalgia.
Causes of Referred Otalgia:
- Dental pathology of molar teeth.
- Infective and malignant lesions of base of tongue.
- Acute tonsillopharyngitis (infection of the tonsils and the pharynx).
- Eustachian tube dysfunctions.
- Arthritis of temporomandibular joint (jaw joint).
Diagnosis and Treatment
All the above diseases have their own clinical features. Diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical findings and their correlation with relevant investigations. Depending upon the diagnosis, treatment is carried out. Every disease needs separate treatment.
Few of them are treated by medicines while some need surgical intervention.
If you are suffering from Ear Pain, consult an ENT otolaryngologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/ENT-Otolaryngologist
19 Oct 2019 - 1 min read
RATING
Ask a Query
Consult by Phone
Video ChatRelated Questions & Answers
What is the reason for tinnitus in my ear?
Query: Hello doctor, Recently, my ENT doctor suctioned a lot of fungus from my right ear and it fixed the problem. However, high pitched ear ringing continues to be a problem without any pain. It is more of a pulsating feeling and that synchronizes with my heart rate when I am in the prone position. My h... Read Full >>
Internal Medicine Physician
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are suffering from otomycosis also known as swimmer's ear. It is the fungal infection of the external ear. The symptoms include itching, ear discharge, ear pain, ear fullness, temporary hearing loss and tinnitus. Although most individuals will get immediate r... Read Full
Why the ear pain increased after using prescribed ear drops?
Query: Hello doctor,A few months back, I had ear pain and according to the doctor, I had a fungal infection and got my ear cleansed and prescribed some drops for my ear to be used. As I used those ear drops my ear pain got increased and it turned into a very severe pain that I start feeling that some fluid... Read Full >>
Internal Medicine Physician
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concerns. Regarding your ear pain, it is most likely what is called otitis externa which is an infection of the outer canal of the ear most likely fungal. Wet ear is the most common cause also called swimmer's ear. The most appropriate management: ... Read Full
Most Popular Articles
Do you have a question on Otomycosis or Ear Fungus?
Ask a Doctor Online* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.