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An earache is a symptom of an ear infection or a cold. The cause of Ear aches is virus and the symptoms include burning pain or dull or sharp pain that can range from mild to painful. Other causes of earache is the blockage of the narrow tube leading from the middle ear to the back of the throat. This tube is also called the Eustachian tube. The trapped fluids in the Eustachian tube may lead to patients experiencing pressure in the ear. Fever, Green or yellow mucus in the nose and sleeping issues may also occur along with the cold in some cases. 

Earaches can also have a number of other causes:

• Allergens or other irritants
• Change in air pressure similar to descending a plan or a mountain drive.
• A cold or upper respiratory illness
• A loud, sudden noise above a particular decibel level
• Injury or trauma
• Foreign objects in the ear such as a small insect or the tip of a crayon or a pea or a bead.
• Wax built-up in the ears.

Some of the other symptoms as listed below however the symptoms depend on the cause. 

• Respiratory congestion, sinusitis, runny nose, fever.
• Balance loss or any dizziness or spinning or vertigo
• Drainage from the ears or any Infection or blood from the ear. 
• Green or yellow mucus from the nose
• Hearing loss or any difficulty hearing.
• Vomiting, Nausea and diarrhea

In general any earaches that are caused because of a virus or a cold clears up without any medication or treatment after a few days. However, if the pain or discomfort persists for a longer time and more than 48 hours in general see a doctor. AFC Urgent Care at Warrington treats patients with ear pain due to any of the causes above. AFC Urgent Care Warrington also has an audiometer to identify any potential hearing deficiency.

Ear infections are characterized by inflammation in the ears. Ear infections can occur at any age but predominantly between children aged 3 months to 3 years. These infections can occur overnight or very suddenly and can be very painful in the beginning. 

Home Care for Earache

Try the following to relieve earache pain:

• Over the counter pain relievers. Please follow the directions on the label. Care must be taken not to give aspirin to anyone younger than 20.
• Cold or warm compress like an ice pack or a heating pad or a damp warm cloth applied to the affected area. 
• Sleep positions without putting pressure on the ear including elevated positions. 
• Use several drops of Hydrogen Peroxide, a natural remedy into the affected ear while making it sit for several minutes before draining it.

When to See a Doctor for Earache

For infants who are under 2 years of age and has cold, crying inconsolably, has fever and puling or scratching the year, is having disturbed sleep or a loss of appetite or redness behind the ear, please Call your doctor at AFC Urgent Care Warrington. 

Everyone including the residents of Central Bucks located around Warrington, Warminster, Doylestown, Horsham, Chalfont, and Hatboro can walk-in between 8:00AM – 8:00 PM on Weekdays and 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM on weekends. 

Swimmer’s Ear

Swimmer’s ear is another cause of inflammation of the outer ear and this is caused by a foreign object such as sand, water, sweat, soap entering the ear canal and interfering with the natural coating. 

This is also caused by scratching the ear canal with a finger or any other sharp object or by the excessive usage of the earphones or any allergic reactions to jewelry. 

The ear canal looks red and swollen, and the ear feels tender when it is pulled up and back. It is most common in teens and young adults.

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