Causes of ear pain - Specialist ear doctor in Puerto Banus
14/01/2021Ear pain isn’t always caused by an infection or a serious underlying condition. However, there are certain situations in which you might want to see a doctor. Keep on reading to find out more about the most common causes of ear pain and when to see a specialist ear doctor in Puerto Banus.
Earwax
Earwax is a completely normal thing and usually your ear gets rid of it every time. But if this mechanism doesn’t function properly the gunk slowly builds up, hardens and blocks your ear channel. This so-called impacted wax can cause discomfort.
When trying to get rid of the ear wax by yourself do not use cotton swabs or similar products. You will only push the wax deeper into the ear canal by using these items. As a result it is more likely that the ear wax gets stuck causing pain, itchiness or leads to increased ear wax production. It can even lead to an ear infection and temporary hearing loss.
If you want to treat a slightly impacted ear at home you can use an over-the-counter kit. But if the wax has hardened, you should visit our specialist ear doctor in Puerto Banus to remove the gunk without hurting the eardrum.
Swimmer’s Ear
Trapped water in your ear channel can provide a very good environment for germs and may cause an outer ear infection. You might find your ear to be swollen, red or itchy. Your ear also may produce more fluid to encounter the inflammation. It is also more sensitive to touch and hurts when you are pulling on your earlobe or pressing on the small flap that closes your ear. To prevent a swimmer’s ear you should keep your ears dry during and after swimming. However, contact our specialist ear doctor in Puerto Banus if you experience these symptoms to treat the infection with antibiotic ear drops.
Air Pressure
Usually your ear does a fine job of maintaining equal pressure on both sides of your eardrum. One part of this system is this little pop, which you feel when you swallow. However, when you are in an airplane or an elevator your body has to overcome sudden changes in air pressure which may throw off the balance. As a result your ear might hurt, and you may even experience hearing difficulties.
Middle Ear Infection
A middle ear infection, or otitis media, is the most common reason for ear pain. It occurs when, because of a flu, allergy or sinus infection fluid builds up in your middle ear, gets stuck and then infected. To address this condition our specialist ear doctor in Puerto Banus must first determine the cause of the infection. A bacterial inflammation is treated with antibiotics. If an allergy is the reason our doctor may prescribe an antihistamine and nasal steroid for a decongestant allergy treatment. Contact us right away when you don’t feel any improvement or the pain worsens. Untreated, a middle ear infection can spread and affect other parts of your body or even lead to hearing loss.
Other Causes
The nerves in your face and neck run extremely close by your inner ear, which is why it’s possible that you experience ear pain even though the cause is found elsewhere in your body, like a toothache. This form of pain that begins in one place, but is endured in another is called “referred pain”.
When to see our specialist ear doctor in Puerto Banus
Ear infections can clear up on their own within a couple of days. So when you only suffer from earache and do not experience any other symptoms you might want to wait a day or two before visiting our specialist ear doctor in Puerto Banus. However, you should contact us right away if:
- Your pain is not improving,
- You are running a fever,
- You have trouble hearing,
- Fluid is draining from your ear.