A sore ear can be caused by swimmer’s ear, an ear infection, the common cold, or referred pain. Treatment involves finding and managing the source of the pain, with options including ear drops, oral antibiotics, and pain relievers. It’s important to visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis and to finish all prescribed medications.
A sore ear can be quite painful and distressing. Fortunately, it’s generally easy enough for a doctor to determine the cause of the discomfort. Some of the more common causes of a sore ear include swimmer’s ear, an ear infection, or the common cold. Sometimes an earache can be due to referred pain from another source, such as a sore throat or a problem with your teeth. Treatment involves finding and managing the source of the pain.
Swimmers’ ear is a common source of developing a sore ear. This is an infection of the outer portion of the ear canal, often caused by water remaining in the ear after swimming. Ear drops can often cure this condition relatively quickly. In some cases, you may need to take oral antibiotics for a few days. If treated early, there will likely be no serious complications.
A sore ear is often the result of an ear infection, especially in young children. Pain and fever are the most common symptoms of an ear infection. Some patients may experience drainage from the ear. Oral antibiotics are almost always used to treat an ear infection. It is important to finish all prescribed medications, even if symptoms begin to improve before all medications are finished.
The common cold can lead a person to have a sore ear. When nasal or sinus congestion is present, the added pressure in the nasal cavity can cause pressure to build up behind the ears, causing pain. While there is no cure for the common cold, symptoms typically resolve on their own within a few days. An over-the-counter pain reliever can be used until symptoms start to improve.
Referred pain is another possible reason for an aching ear. For example, if someone has a toothache or sore throat, it is common for the pain to extend to the ears. Once the underlying condition has been treated, the ear pain should go away.
While most cases of ear pain aren’t serious and can be treated relatively easily, it’s important to visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis. This is especially true if the pain is severe or unresponsive to conservative treatment options. Occasionally a structural problem may be present and more invasive treatment may be required. It’s always best to get a diagnosis from a doctor before attempting to treat any type of ear pain at home.
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