Q&A for How to Get Rid of an Ear Ache

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  • Question
    Pus is oozing out from ear lobe. What should I do?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Pus is a sign of an infection. Please talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
  • Question
    My brother sleeps with a fan on and the cold goes right to my left ear. Could that be the cause of my earaches every morning?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    If your earache is in the left ear, the fan possibly could be the cause. Wind can be irritating to the ear canal and if it is persistent, you may have inflammation. If you have tried moving the fan or covering the ear without the pain subsiding, then you should see your doctor to determine what is causing the pain. Some people grind their teeth at night, causing an earache.
  • Question
    Can a fever cause ear pain?
    Mitzi Scotten, MD
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Expert Answer
    A fever alone does not cause ear pain. Ear pain comes from swelling or pressure somewhere in the ear and many times this is because of an infection. Infections can cause fever and so the association of fever and ear pain generally go together.
  • Question
    I heard that you can fix a plugged ear if you put a small medical alcoholic rag into your infected ear, then close your nose and mouth and blow. It works pretty well for me. Should I recommend this to my friend?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    This could be a painful method for your friend and possibly for you in the future. Medical professionals agree, that cotton or rags should not be placed inside the ear canal. Closing your nose and mouth, then blowing will cause a build up of pressure in the middle ear, possibly causing a perforated ear drum. If the tissue is already inflamed from an infection, the probability is higher. This is not a safe practice with or without an ear infection. Have your friend see a doctor to determine the cause of what is causing the "plugged" feeling to begin with. Possibilities include allergies, earwax, or an infection.
  • Question
    My ear feels full and it makes me cry and not be able to sleep. What should I do?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Follow the remedies in this article and schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Ear pain that is so painful it brings tears is not a matter that can wait.
  • Question
    Can an ear ache make your ear itchy?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    An earache and itchiness are two different symptoms that may occur together. An ear infection may cause both, an itchy ear and pain; however, you can have one without the other or one occurring before the other.
  • Question
    My ear is aching and I can hear a noise in my ear. What should I do? It's really painful.
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Symptoms of an ear canal infection include ear pain and itching, decreased hearing, drainage and more. Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, clicking, hissing, or roaring sound in the ears. If the methods listed are not helping, then you should contact your doctor for an appointment.
  • Question
    I clean my ears and earphones often, but there's inflammation. I'm afraid to go to the doctor. My ear wax is a bit watery, and it just drips, but my left ear is fine. I'm also scared because when I move my jaw, it hurts. Could this be because of my headphones?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Drainage and pain are both a sign of infection. You also mention some inflammation as well. Even though you are cleaning your earphones, you should stop using them until you have a doctor have a look into your ear to see if there is an infection. Also, you can have an ear infection in your right ear and not the left. For some immediate relief, follow the methods in this article until you can see your doctor.
  • Question
    How can I stop an earache caused by mucous?
    Mitzi Scotten, MD
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Expert Answer
    Keeping mucous out of the middle part of the ear is your best bet. One way to get mucous out of your nose and sinuses is with nasal saline rinses. These come in many different forms and are a good way to keep mucous levels down in the nose. They can be used frequently since they are not medicine and not habit forming and you can buy them over the counter. The other way to decrease mucous would be with an over the counter, or prescription, antihistamine. This is best used when mucous build-up is due to allergies.
  • Question
    Why does peroxide make my ear pain unbearable?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    It could be the hydrogen peroxide itself. However, if you have done this is the past without pain, likely you have an ear infection. Get checked, an exam would tell if something is wrong.
  • Question
    I've tried everything, yet I still wake up in tears because of the pain. What can I do to sleep better with an earache?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Waking up in tears from an earache sounds severe and it must be difficult trying to sleep. You can try heat with a warm compress or a heating pad on low. Or, maybe elevate your head slightly with an extra pillow under your upper back and head to ease the pressure. Despite these remedies, the most important thing you should do is to see a doctor about this pain. The amount of pain you are having sounds like an infection or a ruptured ear drum.
  • Question
    I am only 13 and right now it is 1am and I don't want to wake my mum. I am not allowed downstairs and I can't sleep. What should I do?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    If you are experiencing an earache that is keeping you from sleeping, then you should let your mom know. Losing sleep because of pain will leave you exhausted. When you talk to your mom, let her know what you are feeling to determine if you need to see a doctor.
  • Question
    My ear pains I have take medicine brofheon, antibiotic and drops but the pain comes back after about 20 minutes. What can I do?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Ear pain can come and go when you have an infection--movement will also move the fluid in your ear, which may cause discomfort during the healing process. Remember to rest, use cool or warm compresses for comfort, drink plenty of water, and continue your antibiotic regime and over the counter pain medication as directed by your doctor. If pain continues or increases, call your doctor.
  • Question
    How do you get rid of soreness on the inside of your ear ?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Follow the methods listed in this article. If they are not helping, please call your doctor to get an appointment. You will need an evaluation to determine the cause of the soreness.
  • Question
    How long does it take to heal?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    Healing time is dependent upon the cause of the earache. Some earaches may take 1-2 days to heal, or it may take up to 2 weeks if there is an infection or perforated ear drum. Some people may have a recurrence. It's important to always complete a course of antibiotics. Discuss any pain that is not resolved with your doctor.
  • Question
    I need a fast and easy way to get rid of earaches. I can't use these recommendations on my own. What can I do?
    Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
    Registered Nurse
    Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    If you are unable to perform the methods for relief yourself, you might consider asking a friend or family member to help you. Another option is to call your doctor to schedule an appointment.
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