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Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain In The Ear

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Posted on Tue, 29 Sep 2015
Question: I have a pain in my right ear, no recent injuries, pain is severe and last a short time. Have been cleaning the ear with an ear wax removal and no wax is coming out.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can try pain killers and monitor

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Pain in the ear is called otalgia.

It can be due to a problem or condition of the ear itself (primary otalgia) .

It can also be due to a problem somewhere else that is sending pain to the ear (eg problem with the teeth, tongue, sinus disease, even cervical nerves -nerves in the neck region).This is called referred otalgia.

Blockage of the ear with wax normally causes decreased hearing in most and a feeling of fullness in the ear, though this can vary.
If this is the case for you then you can continue using the home drops because it can sometimes take a few weeks before the wax comes out. It expands first then starts to emerge.

If there are no other symptoms that could be related to wax then there may be another cause.

Some of the other causes are: (1) ear infection
(2)dental problem eg may be related to the joint of the jaws or the teeth
(3)sinus disease
(4)neuralgia- nerve related pain- this pain is caused by a problem with one of the nerves that goes to the ear
(5)neck problem- issues with the bones in the neck can actually cause ear pain
eg arthritis of the neck
(6)mass in the ear
(7)mass in the throat

If you do not have other symptoms typical of wax, then another cause can be considered eg neuralgia since the pain lasts for a short period of time.

To determine the cause, you would need to consider seeing your doctor for an assessment including history of the pain and any other problems, examination of the ear , head, mouth, throat and neck.

If you cannot do this at this time, then you can try using pain killers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and monitor the pain to see if it stops or continues.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions



Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain In The Ear

Brief Answer: can try pain killers and monitor Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Pain in the ear is called otalgia. It can be due to a problem or condition of the ear itself (primary otalgia) . It can also be due to a problem somewhere else that is sending pain to the ear (eg problem with the teeth, tongue, sinus disease, even cervical nerves -nerves in the neck region).This is called referred otalgia. Blockage of the ear with wax normally causes decreased hearing in most and a feeling of fullness in the ear, though this can vary. If this is the case for you then you can continue using the home drops because it can sometimes take a few weeks before the wax comes out. It expands first then starts to emerge. If there are no other symptoms that could be related to wax then there may be another cause. Some of the other causes are: (1) ear infection (2)dental problem eg may be related to the joint of the jaws or the teeth (3)sinus disease (4)neuralgia- nerve related pain- this pain is caused by a problem with one of the nerves that goes to the ear (5)neck problem- issues with the bones in the neck can actually cause ear pain eg arthritis of the neck (6)mass in the ear (7)mass in the throat If you do not have other symptoms typical of wax, then another cause can be considered eg neuralgia since the pain lasts for a short period of time. To determine the cause, you would need to consider seeing your doctor for an assessment including history of the pain and any other problems, examination of the ear , head, mouth, throat and neck. If you cannot do this at this time, then you can try using pain killers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and monitor the pain to see if it stops or continues. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions