Why does my ear hurt? There can be several different answers to this question. Sometimes we just want to relieve an itchy ear. This especially happens after the adoption of water procedures. At the same time, often those items that just came to hand are used. They can serve not only cotton buds, but also knitting needles, matches, and toothpicks. These actions provoke the penetration of the infection, from which the pain begins.
But not only mechanical effects cause discomfort. The ear also hurts with the development of some pathological processes.
Causes of the disease
The most common pathology in which the ear hurts is otitis media. This inflammatory reaction that develops in the auditory canal is accompanied by the formation of pus. Otitis can manifest itself as an independent disease. Pathology also often accompanies influenza or tonsillitis.
Otitis can be external. Its occurrence is facilitated by the ingress of strangersobjects in the ear canal and damage to the mucous membrane. With this type of pathology, festering inflammation manifests itself in the form of a boil. It is located at the entrance to the ear canal. Pain is felt when pressing on the ear.
The symptoms of acute otitis are much worse. This pathology is accompanied not only by pain, but also by backache in the ear. Pus exudes from the ear canal. This causes an increase in body temperature. Acute otitis media usually develops after untreated viral and respiratory diseases.
Pathologies causing ear pain
Dental diseases can have a negative impact on sensations in the auricle. Inflammatory processes that occur in the gums, tooth or its roots create pulsating pain. They are aggravated by chewing or ingesting hot or cold food. With tooth decay, discomfort can spread to the temples and neck.
Pain in the ear when swallowing is often a sign of a number of infectious diseases. The patient may be infected with chickenpox or scarlet fever, diphtheria or measles. Pain that radiates into the ear when swallowing is one of the signs of acute pharyngitis. This inflammatory process of the mucosa, which takes place on the back of the pharynx, can occur as an independent pathology. But often pharyngitis accompanies SARS.
Ear hurts with frostbite, burns, and hypothermia. This symptom may also indicate the presence of periochondritis. It is an inflammatory disease that affects cartilage tissue.
The cause of discomfort in the auricle can be a large amount of earwax in the ear canal. The accumulated mass reduces hearing, provokes the appearance of secretions and causes the ear to hurt.
First Aid
Treatment of pathologies that cause pain in the ears should be under medical supervision. Only the correct diagnosis contributes to effective treatment of the disease. To relieve discomfort before visiting a doctor, you can use the advice of folk healers. Our ancestors relieved pain with herbs. They used lavender oil and mint tincture. These funds were instilled with five drops in each ear canal.
The first aid for pain in the ear is to apply a vodka compress for twenty minutes. Even in the case when unpleasant sensations appear inside the ear canal, twitching, indicating the initial stage of otitis media, such a procedure can eliminate the pathology. This folk method is also recommended by doctors.
