Doctor's Notes on Earache (Ear Pain)
Earache commonly results from an infection in the ear, usually a bacterial infection. Infection in the middle ear is known as otitis media, and infection of the outer ear and ear canal is called otitis externa. Otitis externa is also sometimes referred to as “swimmer’s ear.” Ear wax buildup and rapid changes in atmospheric pressure are other common causes of ear pain.
Symptoms of an earache can include:
- a sharp, dull, or burning pain in the ear,
- warm drainage of fluid or pus from the ear canal, or
- bleeding in some cases.
Associated symptoms depend on the cause and can include:
- a feeling of fullness in the ear,
- reduced or muffled hearing capacity,
- pain when moving the external ear,
- fever,
- cough, and
- runny nose.
Children or babies may tug or pull on the ear and appear restless.
What Is the Treatment for Earache?
Treatment for earache may include the following:
- Earaches due to bacterial infection are treated with antibiotics. These may be given as ear drops or pills, depending on the location of the infection.
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen are used to control pain associated with earache.
- Antihistamines can be useful in treating certain causes of earache.
- Other treatments for earache may include medications to control nausea or vertigo.
Ear Infection : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz

Ear infection or acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
-
Allergy and Hay Fever Medications
There are many types of medications available to combat the symptoms of allergies and hay fever. The types of medications include antihistamines (Claritin, Zyrtec), decongestants (Sudafed), anticholinergic nasal sprays (Atrovent), corticosteroid nasal sprays (Flonase, Nasonex), antiallergy eyedrops (Patanol), leukotriene inhibitors (Singulair), and mast cell inhibitors (Nasalcrom). -
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are prescribed to individuals to cure disease by killing bacteria. There are over 100 antibiotics. The main classes of antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, flouroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem due to the overprescription of antibiotics to individuals. Allergic reactions to antibiotics commonly have the following symptoms shortness of breath, rash, hives, itching, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, and fainting. -
Common Cold
The cold is the most commonly occurring illness in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. Symptoms and signs include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, sneezing, and runny nose. Treatment involves drinking plenty of fluids and taking cough, fever, and pain medications. -
Ear Pain, Scuba Diving
Ear pain or ear squeeze is a common complaint among scuba divers. Ear pain is typically caused by a failure to equalize pressure between the interior of the ear and the outside environment. -
Ear Tubes
Ear infections are one of the most common infection in children. Environmental and anatomy problems occur and some children are prone to multiple ear infections. When this is the case, often, ear tubes surgery (myringotomy) is recommended. Parents and caregivers should prepare the child and themselves for the procedure. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after surgery is critical for proper healing. -
Earwax (Excess Buildup and Blockage)
Earwax, or cerumen, is a substance produced by the glands in the outer ear. Earwax has a purpose, and that is to trap dust and other small particles and prevent them from potentially damaging the eardrum. Causes of earwax buildup, blockage, or impaction include using Q tips or other objects to remove earwax. Symptoms of earwax buildup or blockage include decreased hearing, a fullness or plugged feeling in the ear, ear pain, dizziness, or ringing in the ear. Home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) medication (drops), and excess earwax buildup and blockage removal by your health care professional are treatments for earwax buildup. -
Foreign Body (Object) in the Ear
Getting an object lodged in the ear is a common problem -- especially among toddlers. Pain or bleeding are the most common symptoms. Though a foreign body in the ear is seldom a serious condition, the object should be removed as soon as possible, preferably by a doctor. -
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can have a variety of causes both physical and neurological. Infection can also affect hearing. Medical treatment depends on the cause, but people can help prevent hearing loss by wearing ear protection in noisy environments, promply treating ear infections, and never inserting foreign objects into the ear canal(such as cotton swabs). -
Middle Ear Infection
An infection of the ear can be the ear canal (otitis externa), the eardrum, or the middle mear (otitis media). Symptoms and signs of an ear infection include ear pain, hearing loss, ringing in the ear, nausea, vertigo, vomiting, discharge from the ear, or common cold. Treatment for an ear infection includes over-the-counter pain relievers and at times antibiotics. -
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is highly contagious and causes respiratory tract infections in young children. RSV symptoms and signs include cough, sneezing, wheezing, earache, sore throat, fever, and a stuffy or runny nose. RSV has no specific treatment. -
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is predominantly a disease that affects children. Scarlet fever is caused by infection with the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. Symptoms and signs include: fever, rash, sore throat and strawberry tongue. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of scarlet fever. -
Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa)
Swimmer's ear (also called otitis externa) is caused by a break in the skin lining the ear canal and outer ear, allowing bacteria or fungi to infect the ear. Excessive moisture in the ear, earplugs, headphones, hearing aids, and chemical hair dyes, bleaches, or shampoos may also cause swimmer's ear. The most common symptom of swimmer's ear is pain. Treatment depends on the extensiveness of the infection. -
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome
Learn about temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome treatment, symptoms, and causes. Learn how massage, exercises, and other home remedies can help ease jaw pain. See also TMJ pictures. -
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
An upper respiratory tract infection is generally caused by a virus and treatment is directed at managing the symptoms of the infection. Viral infections are not responsive to antibiotics. The most common upper respiratory tract infection is the common cold. Upper respiratory infections are contagious thus prevention measures such as frequent hand washing and avoiding other that are ill are the most effective. -
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infectious vaccine-preventable disease marked by spasms of coughing punctuated by a characteristic "whoop" sound. Treatment involves isolating the infected individual until he or she has received five days of antibiotics, including azithromycin, clarithromycin, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Patients can use a cool-mist humidifier, and monitoring for dehydration.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.