Milestones
Pain
In the Ear - Otalgia Earache is a common complaint especially among the children. It can often be quite severe and incapacitating. It could be due to causes locally in the ear or referred from other areas.
Common local causes
- Boil in the ear- Severe Pain in the ear
Increased Pain on moving pinna & jaw.
Analgesics & antibiotics will be required.
- Impacted wax - In some people excessive wax may
be secreted and deposited as a plug in the ear canal leading to
decreased hearing & pain. It has to be removed by syringing or
instrumental manipulation. Hard wax may repair softening with wax
solvents before removal.
- Infection of ear canal ( Otitis externa ) -
Excessive scratching of ear canal with match sticks or hair pins
leads to trauma to the ear canal and subsequent infection. Systemic
antibiotics and local application of antibiotic drops may be
required
- Otomycosis ( Fungal infection of the ear) - You
may have intense itching in the ear, discomfort and watery discharge
.Seen commonly in swimmers and in tropical climates. Antifungal
drops may be required.
- Foreign body in the ear - A variety of foreign
bodies are seen in the ear. Children are notorious in putting all
sorts of things in their ears, the common ones being pieces of
paper, thermocol pieces, grain seeds, chalk pieces, beads etc.
Importantly, any manipulation to take out the foreign body at home
should be avoided and an ENT specialist should be consulted.
- Acute Suppurative Otitis Media (ASOM) - It is
an acute inflammation of middle ear by bacteria. This condition is
commonly seen in infants and children. Factors interfering with
normal functioning of eustachian tube(the duct connecting the middle
ear to the mouth cavity) predispose to ASOM.
An E.N. T specialist should be consulted in the early stage when there is a mild earache. Antibacterial therapy decongestants and antipyretics are indicated. Minor surgery- incising the drum and releasing the pus may be indicated in a few cases.
- Trama to the ear - A slap on the ear or a very
loud noise can cause traumatic rupture of tympanic membrane and pain
in the ear with decreased hearing. The ear should be examined and
appropriate treatment instituted.
- Other causes – of referred pain in the ear
are
- A carious tooth
- Impacted molar tooth
- Acute tonsillitis
As is evident from above, pain in the ear could really be due to a wide variety of reasons and it may indeed be difficult for the patient or the attendants at home to find out the reason. A tendency to put any kind of drops or oil should strictly be avoided.
The best thing to do is to consult an E.N.T. specialist and get a thorough check up.
Suggested Reading -
Childhood infections - pneumonia to pink eye - Childhood brings with it many common infections and illnesses. Get practical tips on how to recognize and handle there.
Ear Infections in kids - Ear infections are one of the commonest infections in childhood. Recognition of what causes them can go a long way in containing the damage they can cause.
Ear Infections in kids
