Ear pain can be not only excruciating, but also alarming. Due to its proximity to the brain, any inflammation or pressure in the ear is felt especially acutely. But the reason is not always serious - sometimes everything can be solved simply. Let's figure out why the ear can hurt and what to do about it.
1️⃣ Excess earwax 🟤
When earwax accumulates and hardens, it can clog the ear canal and cause:
🧏 Pain and hearing loss
🔕 A feeling of congestion
🔔 Tinnitus
What to do:
Drip warm mineral or baby oil into the ear for 3 days, then rinse the ear with warm water.
⚠️ Do not use cotton swabs! You can damage your eardrum.
2️⃣ Ear barotrauma ✈️🌊
It occurs due to pressure changes during flights or diving.
🤯 Ear pain radiating to the forehead and cheeks
🚫 Congestion
🎧 Noise
What to do:
Chew gum, swallow, or hold your breath with your nose pinched during ascent/descent.
If the pain does not go away within a few hours — see a doctor.
3️⃣ Foreign body in the ear 🐞🌽
Small objects or insects can get into the ear, causing:
😣 Sharp pain
👂 Hearing loss
🚫 Feeling of “something in the ear”
What to do:
See a doctor immediately.
❌ Do not try to remove the object yourself!
4️⃣ Swimmer's ear 🏊♂️💧
Outer ear infection due to moisture.
🦠 Itching → pain
🌡️ Fever (sometimes)
👂 Discharge
🧏 Hearing loss
What to do:
Take paracetamol. Your doctor will prescribe drops with an antibiotic, cortisone, or antifungal agent.
🚿 Avoid water in your ears for 2-3 weeks.
5️⃣ Otitis media 🦻🔥
Middle ear inflammation:
🎧 Congestion
🧏♀️ Hearing loss
💥 Acute throbbing pain
What to do:
Warm compress + paracetamol. See a doctor - antibiotics may be needed.
6️⃣ Cyst or benign tumor 🎈
Can cause:
👂 Hearing loss
🔴 Infection
💠 Feeling of pressure
What to do:
Usually does not require treatment, but if an infection appears or the cyst grows, it is removed.
7️⃣ Problems with teeth or jaw 😬🦷
Referred pain can come from:
🔄 TMJ syndrome
💥 Tooth abscess
🦷 Caries
What to do:
🦷 See a dentist immediately! An abscess is an emergency.
Relaxation techniques help with mild TMJ.
8️⃣ Mastoiditis 🧠💊
An infection of the bones behind the ear is a dangerous complication of otitis.
😷 Pus from the ear
🔴 Swelling behind the ear
🌡️ Fever
👂 Dull pain
What to do:
⚠️ See a doctor immediately!
A course of strong antibiotics is required, sometimes surgery. Without treatment, meningitis or paralysis is possible.
9️⃣ Ruptured eardrum 🎯
This occurs due to injury or infection.
🎧 Hearing loss
🔔 Noise
🤢 Dizziness
💧 Blood or pus
What to do:
Take paracetamol and see a doctor immediately.
Antibiotics, a patch on the eardrum, or surgery are possible.
🚫 Do not blow your nose or allow air to enter the ear until it is completely healed (up to 2 months).
