Earache Causes

The 2 common causes of otitis externa are trapped moisture and minor injury to the ear canal. Otitis media is caused by bacteria growing in the middle ear behind the eardrum. It often follows a cold or upper respiratory tract infection. There are other risk factors identified with increased frequency of otitis media.

• Risk factors of otitis externa

• Moisture trapped in the ear canal
  • The condition commonly called swimmer's ear can occur after swimming or bathing or sometimes just from hot humid weather.
  • Bacteria that cause the infection are able to grow and multiply easily in the warm moist environment.

• Minor injury or scrape to the ear canal skin
  • This usually happens during attempts to clean the ear with objects, such as a cotton-tipped swab or paper clip.
  • The break in the skin allows bacteria to penetrate and start an infection.

• Risk factors of otitis media

• Cold or upper respiratory tract infection
  • These conditions cause swelling at the back of the nose where the ear normally drains. The ear is connected to the nose by the Eustachian tube.
  • If the eustachian tube does not function properly, fluid can become trapped behind the eardrum (serous otitis media). If bacteria grow in that fluid, then infection occurs (otitis media).

• Allergies
• Daycare
• Secondhand smoke exposure
• Bottle (rather than breast) feeding
• Family history of ear infections
• Malformations of the head and neck area