Ear infection
Otitis is an inflammation of the middle ear and most often affects children. It often starts with a cold where the infection spreads through a tube that connects the throat and the ear. The inflammation settles in the middle ear, which is the part of the ear behind the eardrum. When fluid builds up with inflammation behind the eardrum, it presses on and causes pain and potentially impaired hearing. This can cause the eardrum to burst and fluid can be seen in the patient's ear.
Ear wax
Earwax can block the ear canal, cause an inflammatory reaction and lead to earache. We have ear irrigation devices in all our clinics and can help you get the earwax out. Feel free to soften the wax with a few drops of cooking oil for a few days before coming for a rinse.
To avoid blocked ear canals, it is important not to use q-tips inside the ear canal. This can potentially push and compress the earwax further in and prevent it from coming out naturally.
Ear canal inflammation
Inflammation of the ear canal can also cause discomfort in the ear. This usually comes from eczema or infection, and you often have itching and sometimes pain. "Swimmer's ear" is a type of infection in the ear canal that often requires treatment with prescription drugs.
Other causes of ear symptoms
- Swollen lymph glands can be caused by infection in the body and cause it to radiate up to the ears, causing earache.
- Foreign body in the ear is a common cause in children. If you cannot get it removed yourself, you should see a doctor.
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