MAIN Health Pain Earaches & Ear Infections

On the outside, ears may big and stick out, or be small and delicate. On the inside, ears are awesome technological wonders - allowing us to enjoy a child's laugh, be alert to danger, or listen to a beautiful symphony.

When ears ache, it is usually nature's way of telling us there is something wrong, although just like different ear shapes and sizes, the cause of earaches may vary widely.

Earache Causes

The most common ear disorder in children is middle ear infection, which is often due to still-developing eustachian tubes (which help ears properly drain down the back of the throat). Even in adults, when eustachian tubes become plugged by colds or allergies, an earache is usually the painful result. Other causes may include earwax buildup, the pressure inside an airplane cabin, or "swimmers ear" in which pool or sea water plug up one or both ears.

Then there is the occasional bug, tiny hair clipping, or other minute foreign object that sets off "alarms" in the ear to help us avoid infection. Earaches may also be caused by residual pain that may come from a toothache, sore throat, an infected tonsil or a sinus infection.

Earache Cures

Typically, an earache can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications (with glycerine the active ingredient) or with applications of warm mineral oil or water that help cleanse the ear. See a doctor if an earache lasts for more than a couple of days, or if earaches become a chronic problem over time.

Around the Web, learn more about what you can do to decrease your risk, get help & relief, and additional information on what your ears may be telling you about related disorders when they begin to ache ...

Earaches - Pediatric Dr. Reddy with easily readable subject matter covering how the ear works and how it can become infected, a discussion on common earaches and how to treat them, plus more on on swimmer's ear.

The Doctors Book of Home Remedies - Earaches - Tips for quick remedies found around the house including mineral oil, heat therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers, plus tips on how to painlessly remove a bug lodged in the ear, with advice on when to see a doctor.

Ear Infections and Your Child - Good overview from the American Academy of Pediatrics with information on causes and typical symptoms. Scroll to the bottom of the page for more resources explaining related risk factors, complications, treatment options.

Middle Ear Infections - More on kid's ear disorders with description of symptoms, treatment & home care, practical tips on prevention, with related advice on swimmer's ear and "airplane ears".

The Health Library - Diseases and Disorders > Ears, Nose and Throat - A virtual online encyclopedia of ear conditions including a directory of resources for learning more about common earache, symptoms and treatment, related diseases and disorders.

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