As a rule, pain behind the ear on the right when pressed may indicate that the patient is developing a process of inflammation or infection. In addition to such symptoms, patients often have signs such as swollen lymph nodes and the appearance of bumps. They can cause unbearable pain at every touch. This article provides information on how to treat and prevent such manifestations.
At a Glance
The anatomy of the auditory organ is such that its inner part is located next to the cranial cavity and is very close to the brain tissues. That is why inflammation can go to the inner ear, and then spread to the head area. In order to get rid of the pain, you need to see a doctor who will conduct all the necessary diagnostics. This is especially necessary if it gives in the head. Pain behind the ear on the right cannot be ignored or de alt withwhile self-medicating. Otherwise, this will lead to severe complications, as well as a pathological process that cannot be reversed.
Reasons
Pain above the ear on the right can be both unilateral and bilateral, most often it occurs against the background of inflammation of a different nature. The outer, middle, or inner region of the hearing aid may be affected. Depending on this, a disease such as otitis media is distinguished.
The reason may also be a wax plug formed inside the ear.
Often pain causes mastoiditis - inflammation of the paranasal sinus inside the temple.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes is called lymphadenitis and is also the cause of throbbing pain behind the ear on the right side.
Sialoadenitis occurs when the salivary gland becomes inflamed.
And finally, diseases such as mumps or herpes (simple or shingles) can cause problems. These diseases are infectious.
When a person begins to feel pain behind the right ear, first of all, you need to understand which of the symptoms appeared earlier and classify them. After that, you need to seek medical help and provide the specialist with the following information:
- Is the pain constant or does it sometimes stop.
- How long the discomfort lasts.
- What kind of pain does a person feel: sharp, aching or raw.
- Whether it is one-way or two-way.
- Are there any other symptomsin addition to pain: does the temperature rise, does the patient feel weak, dizzy, hearing problems.
After the doctor receives all the information, it will be easier for him to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment to eliminate discomfort in the ear.
Otitis media and its types
As a rule, otitis media can appear due to complications of infections occurring in the body or develop independently. The most dangerous types of ailment are considered internal and middle, because they can damage the eardrum and affect the quality of a person’s hearing, which cannot be restored.
Otitis media can occur if the patient does not take good care of their ears, cleans them with foreign objects such as a pencil or straw, bathes in contaminated water, or if their body is weakened due to a lack of vitamins or seasonal diseases.
Consider the symptoms of otitis media. Signs of this disease include:
- Pain syndrome and swelling of the ear, which are aggravated by palpation.
- Presence of pus in the ear canal.
- Changes in the general condition of the body, fever, the appearance of lethargy.
- Analgesics do not eliminate pain, the pain is most often throbbing.
- Hearing on the affected side is reduced.
- If the disease has also spread to the inner ear, in other words, if a person begins to develop labyrinthitis, hearing is significantly reduced until it is lost, the person feels nausea,dizziness.
To cure any variant of otitis, it is necessary to use broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as medicines that relieve swelling and relieve inflammation.
Sulfur plug
A sulfur plug is formed in the ear due to the specific structure of its outer part and insufficient care for it. As a rule, it is removed if it was able to completely fill the outer area of \u200b\u200bthe passage and caused partial hearing loss. A person with an ear plug cannot hear only in one ear, which is affected, while the state of the whole organism remains normal.
Trying to clean your ear canal yourself with the help of improvised means, such as a hairpin or a match, can only thicken the earwax, especially if the period between cleanings was long. A special wand is only suitable for cleaning the outside of the organ.
In order to get rid of the sulfur plug and pain in the head behind the ear on the right, you must use plain water. As a rule, the doctor draws a little liquid into the spitz and releases it under pressure, which is why the unwanted seal comes out.
Mastoiditis
Mastoiditis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinus of the hearing aid, which is located behind the auricle inside the temporal bone. If microbes penetrate into it and this contributes to the development of inflammation, then things can come to a complication and then otitis media will appear. In its nonspecific symptoms, mastoiditis is similar tostandard ailment of the average nature of the course:
- Pain syndrome is strongly pronounced and concentrated behind the auricle.
- On palpation, the softness of the bone is felt.
- The general condition of the body is changing, there is an increase in temperature, the appearance of weakness and dizziness.
- Pus appears in the external passage.
In order to cure mastoiditis, antibiotic therapy is needed, the course of which should be long. Sometimes an operative method of treatment is required: you need to open the sinus and remove the purulent contents.
Lymphadenitis
This disease is characterized by an inflammatory change in the lymph nodes located behind the auricle and pain in the neck behind the ear on the right. As a rule, education increases, becomes painful and edematous. Lymphadenitis manifests itself as a complication of other diseases that are accompanied by an increase in lymph nodes, such as oncology or mononucleosis. If you suspect the development of this disease, you must urgently seek medical help.
Sialadenitis
The disease occurs when there is insufficient hygiene of the oral cavity and teeth, due to which the salivary glands located near the ear become inflamed, their consistency thickens and becomes more viscous. In this case, the pain syndrome extends not only to the oral cavity, but also to the hearing organs. As a rule, one side of the face is usually affected. Medicines are used as treatmentfighting inflammation and bacteria.
Mumps
This disease is viral and affects the exocrine glands. However, sometimes it extends to the salivary. Most often this disease affects children. The salivary gland swells and becomes painful. As a rule, the disease spreads to both sides at once. If the parotid gland is affected, then an unbearable pain syndrome covers this area, the condition worsens when chewing. For the treatment of pain behind the ear on the right, medicines are used to reduce inflammation, and the patient is also subjected to warming and detoxification.
Herpes (simple and shingles)
From the very beginning, the patient feels a burning sensation and tingling in the area behind the ear, after a few days other symptoms appear, such as rashes and blisters. In order to cure a person in this case, doctors prescribe him antiviral ointments, for example, Acyclovir. In no case should you try to get rid of the discomfort yourself, in this case, medical assistance is needed.
Prevention of ear diseases
Some people mistakenly believe that as a preventive measure for various diseases of the hearing organs, it will be enough just to wash them regularly and clean them with cotton swabs. However, this is not the case at all.
As a rule, after shampooing, it is necessary to blot the ears with a towel, since the moisture in the ears is not completely removed by cotton swabs and becomes a breeding ground for microbes.
Not worth itpicks at the ears with foreign objects such as a pencil, paper clip, or even a toothpick. Even cotton swabs, although considered safer, can cause some harm. The fact is that they clean the auricle, but also rid it of a protective layer that prevents the growth of bacteria.
Therefore, from time to time it is necessary to use antibacterial drops that can be bought at the pharmacy. They help get rid of moisture inside the ears and get rid of bacteria.
So, with the help of cotton buds, you can’t clean the ear canal and try to get rid of the cork, as it will make the sulfur more dense and it will not be so easy to get rid of it. The sticks are only good for cleaning the outside of the ears, not the inside.
But these are not all the rules to follow to avoid hearing aid diseases.
It is necessary to wear a hat, no matter how hackneyed it may sound, so that the ears are protected from the winds and cold, especially in winter weather.
Take care of your he alth, prevent the possible spread of infection or inflammation during colds. After all, even such seemingly safe diseases as the flu or SARS can become complicated, which will affect the ears as well.
It is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist, undergo a preventive examination, even if the person feels fine and does not experience any discomfort in the ear area. If symptoms appear, then you should seek help immediately.
