Ear Ache

Have you ever experienced a sharp, dull or burning pain in your ear? If so, then you know how it feels to suffer from an ear ache.

Ear ache, also known as otalgia or ear pain, is a common problem among adults and children. Ear ache in children is often caused by a build-up of fluid and pressure in the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum), which usually happens when the child has a cold or allergy. The accumulation of fluid in the middle ear can lead to an ear infection.

Otitis media is the medical term for infection of the middle ear. A child with an ear infection may show symptoms such as fever, ear pain, fussiness, persistent crying and tugging at the ear, irritability, hearing difficulties, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Ear ache in children may also be caused by water from bathing, soap or shampoo retention, or ear canal irritation from cotton buds.

In adults, ear ache may be caused by fungus growth in the ear; wax buildup; infection in the nose, mouth or throat and so on.

If you have an ear ache and you feel that it's getting worse, the best thing to do is to visit a doctor. The doctor will examine your outer ear, ear canal and ear drum with an otoscope. The examination may also include the nose, throat and mastoid (the bony part behind the ear).