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What Causes Severe Pain In Outer Ear With Sore Throat And Nasal Discharge?
Question: Good evening,
I have been suffering from increasing pain in the outer ear auricle area during the past 4 days - from the bottom behind the earlobe to the top third part behind the auricle. It causes a pressure on the inside canal and I keep sensing this urge to place my little finger in the ear canal and press against the wall as a counter pressure measure. I have a slight cold but first noticed this increasing pain during a stressful interpretation session. I often get those soft (sometimes puss-filled) bumps behind the earlobe but this time none has appeared. Only the increasing pain. I am taking Rhinoral and Rhinocap to undo the swelling and let the mucous from the inner nose flow. I also use Triophan nose spray as I now have one side of my nose stuffed (the left, where my pain is located as well). Dafalgan and Aspirin did not take the pain away...I also filled the ear canal with "diver's" drops (a mixture of alcohol, vinegar and water) to cleanse the inside in case some bacteria got caught but the pain is still there...do I have an inflammation or is my eustachian tube perhaps blocked? I have very little sore throat but this pain is driving me nuts...
I have been suffering from increasing pain in the outer ear auricle area during the past 4 days - from the bottom behind the earlobe to the top third part behind the auricle. It causes a pressure on the inside canal and I keep sensing this urge to place my little finger in the ear canal and press against the wall as a counter pressure measure. I have a slight cold but first noticed this increasing pain during a stressful interpretation session. I often get those soft (sometimes puss-filled) bumps behind the earlobe but this time none has appeared. Only the increasing pain. I am taking Rhinoral and Rhinocap to undo the swelling and let the mucous from the inner nose flow. I also use Triophan nose spray as I now have one side of my nose stuffed (the left, where my pain is located as well). Dafalgan and Aspirin did not take the pain away...I also filled the ear canal with "diver's" drops (a mixture of alcohol, vinegar and water) to cleanse the inside in case some bacteria got caught but the pain is still there...do I have an inflammation or is my eustachian tube perhaps blocked? I have very little sore throat but this pain is driving me nuts...
Brief Answer:
The description appears to be Eustachian tube block
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to HCM.
With the beautiful description that you gave it appears to be ET block. When you have sorethroat and nasal discharge it invariably blocks the ET tube.
Till the time these clear away, the edema in the ET will remain. We generally do not prescribe any medication for this as it is self limiting. Though there are certain drugs that control edema they cause dryness, thirst, constipation etc which are not worth to take the tablets.
I suggest a aural examination with a Otoscope by your family doctor to check for any follicles in the external auditory canal and prescribe you necessary medications. You are doing ample methods at home but it will still take time to resolve the edema in the ET.
This answer should lessen your worry and wait to watch.
The description appears to be Eustachian tube block
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to HCM.
With the beautiful description that you gave it appears to be ET block. When you have sorethroat and nasal discharge it invariably blocks the ET tube.
Till the time these clear away, the edema in the ET will remain. We generally do not prescribe any medication for this as it is self limiting. Though there are certain drugs that control edema they cause dryness, thirst, constipation etc which are not worth to take the tablets.
I suggest a aural examination with a Otoscope by your family doctor to check for any follicles in the external auditory canal and prescribe you necessary medications. You are doing ample methods at home but it will still take time to resolve the edema in the ET.
This answer should lessen your worry and wait to watch.
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. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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