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
- Anatomy of an Ear Infection - Slideshow
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
Next: Earache Causes »
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Earache
Allergy and Hay Fever Medications »
What are allergies?
An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system responds to a foreign substance in an abnormal fashion. The immune system normally protects the body from harmful agents like bacteria and toxins. The body's abnormal response to a harmless substance (called an allergen) is called a hypersensitivity, or an allergic reaction. Generally, these reactions are due to interactions between the allergen and the family of proteins, IgE, resulting in activation of cells in the body called mast cells and basophils.
What causes allergies?
Many substances in the environment can become allergens, but only in genetically susceptible persons. Dust mites, animal hair or danders, pollens, medications, foods, and insect venoms are examples of allergens. Approximately 20% of the US population is potentially allergic.
Reactions may be in the nose (hay fever), eyes (conjunctivitis), chest (asthma), or it can be systemic (anaphylaxis), me...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Otitis Media »
Otitis media (OM) is the second most common disease of childhood, after upper respiratory infection (URI).
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