If you have ever had an ear infection, you know the symptoms can cause serious discomfort and affect your quality of life. An ear infection typically causes pain in the ears, but have you ever also experienced a headache? The anatomy of the face is designed in a way that links the vital parts like the ear, nose, and throat together. That’s why a condition in one part of the body can easily lead to an inconvenience in another part.

For same-day ear infection treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston. Our urgent care center is open seven days a week and operates on a walk-in basis, meaning no appointments are required. Just stop by today!

The Connection Between Ear Infections and Headaches

The face has some cavities called sinuses that separate the functions of the ear, nose, and throat. These cavities tend to be filled with mucus and when they do, it causes pressure build up which then causes headaches. Sometimes, due to internal or external reasons like viruses or smoke, the ear might get infected and cause mucus to accumulate. When you sleep in a certain position, the mucus moves to other parts of the facial sinuses which will then cause a headache due to the strain on the nerves around the face.

Causes Of Ear Infection

Ear infections are more common in children but this does not rule out an occurrence in adults. The following are some of the known causes of ear infection

• Smoke or pollution
• Infected cotton swabs
• Weekend immune system especially in aged people.
• Poor hygiene
• Excess water in the ear (this is common with swimmers)

Symptoms Of Ear Infection

The symptoms of an ear infection can vary from person to person depending on the severity of infection and the overall health of the individual affected. If you begin to notice any of the symptoms listed below, then there is a chance that your ear(s) has been infected. Be sure to seek a professional medical opinion to get your condition accurately diagnosed.

Common symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Dizziness
• Tenderness to the touch
• Hearing changes
• Irritability
• Nauseousness
• Fever of 100°F or more
• Slight or intense headache
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Swelling of the ear

Ear Infection Treatment

Often when you have a headache that is caused by an ear infection you might want to treat it independently. Although this might depend on the severity of your condition. Sometimes, the headache may disappear once the ear infection is cured but in case it doesn't, here are a few treatment suggestions.

Treatment For Headache

• Try holding a cold or warm compress to your forehead. You alternate both to see what works best then stick to it.
• Massaging your head to release the tension can relieve the headache. You can do this by yourself or ask someone else to help
• Drink water as much as possible to stay hydrated
• Caffeine can make a bad headache worse so stay away or reduce your intake
• Over-the-counter meds are also great options. You can obtain painkillers that do not require doctor's clearance from your local pharmacy. Examples are aspirin, Advil, etc.

Treatment For Ear Infection

• Antibiotics
• Ear drops
• Over-the-counter meds

Get Same-Day Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Livingston

Do you suspect that you or a loved one has developed an ear infection? Come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston for same-day treatment. Our board-certified medical providers are here seven days a week to provide preventative and immediate care to all patients in the Livingston, NJ area and surrounding communities. Appointments are not required, just walk-in at your convenience. If you have any additional questions about ear infection treatment, or other services we provide, please contact our medical office directly at (973) 601-2626.