What is the difference between ear pain and ear infection?

Ear infections are the most common cause of ear pain. An ear pain can be mild but an ear infection can cause debilitating pain. When an ear gets infected, it causes a build-up of fluid inside the ear, inflammation, and intense pain.

Ear pain is mostly seen in?

Ear pain is a common problem, particularly in children. It can be caused by a minor infection in which ear pain comes and goes. But sometimes, it causes sharp or burning ear pain that requires medical attention.

Can ear infections cause ear pains in adults?

Ear pains are often caused by a middle ear infection, especially in small children. While it is more common in children, some people do develop adult ear infections and ear pain.

Can an ear pain come and go?

Depending upon the cause of the ear pain, an ear pain may affect one or both ears. It may be constant or come and go, and the pain may be dull, sharp, or burning.

Otalgia is the medical term for ear pain. There are two types of otalgia: primary and secondary. Primary otalgia is ear pain caused by a problem directly associated with the ear, such as an ear infection. Secondary otalgia may arise from diseases in the organs associated with the ear such as paranasal sinuses, nose, and pharynx or, frequently, from temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

What is a swimmer's ear?

Swimmer's ear is an inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. The medical term for swimmer's ear is otitis externa. Swimming in unclean water can lead to swimmer's ear. Bacteria commonly often found in water can cause ear infections. Rarely, the infection may be caused by a fungus. Swimmer's ear is more common among children in their teens and young adults.

Ear pain

Written By Dr. Syeda AafiaMBA, BDS

Reviewed By Dr. Lalit Kanodia

MD (Pharmacology), MBBS

Last updated on: 27 Sep 2022 | 06:23 PM (IST)

Overview

Ear pain or earache can occur due to infections and inflammation of the external, middle, or inner ear. Earaches usually occur in children, but they can occur in adults as well. An ear pain may affect one or both ears, but the majority of the time it’s in one ear.

The ear pain can be constant or it can come and go, the pain can be dull, sharp, or burning. The symptoms of ear pain include pain in the ear, impaired hearing, and fluid discharge from the ear. Children can show additional symptoms like muffled hearing, fever, difficulty sleeping, headache, getting irritated more than usual, and loss of balance.

Some of the common causes of ear pain include injury, infection, irritation in the ear, or pain that originates in the jaw or teeth, earwax buildup, water trapped in the ear, and sinus infection.

The treatment of ear pain includes taking over-the-counter pain relievers to treat the ear pain and antibiotics, in case of an infection. Also, not getting the ear wet and sitting upright can help relieve ear pressure and pain.

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