Earache

• Earache Overview
• Earache Causes
• Earache Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Earache Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related ear infections articles:
  Ear infections - on WebMD
  Otitis media - on WebMD
  Otitis media - on MedicineNet

Earache Overview

Earache is very common medical problem for both children and adults. The 2 most common conditions that cause earache are infection of the outer ear (otitis externa) and infection of the middle ear (otitis media).

• Otitis externa

• Skin infection of the outer ear or ear canal

• Often occurs after swimming (commonly called swimmer's ear)

• Otitis media

• Infection of the middle ear and eardrum

• Very common in infants and children aged 6 months to 2 years

• Can also affect older children and adults