Earache Causes

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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

Earache Symptoms
Otitis externa

Typically, there is an earache, which can be severe.
Mild cases may have more of an itch than pain.
Touching or pulling on the ear worsens the pain.
Hearing loss
Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear
Blocked or full sensation in the ear
Swelling of the ear
Thick drainage from the ear
Otitis media
Pain in the ear (most common symptom)

Hearing loss


Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear


Full or plugged sensation in the ear


Fever


Occasionally, discharge from the ear (eardrum ruptures and the infected fluid drains out)


Other symptoms in infants


Vomiting or diarrhea


Irritability


Poor feeding


Poor sleeping