Earache

The Earache

Sometimes spelled "ear ache"

Visit our Hearing and Ear Health Discussion Forum

Earache Basics

Earache (or ear ache) is a commonly used "umbrella" term for any condition that causes distressing pain in the ear or ears. Actually, there are a number of conditions, illnesses and diseases that can cause earache pain.

Earache Causes

An ear infection is the most common cause of an earache. Ear infections are covered in depth elsewhere in this website.

An earache often occurs when moisture becomes trapped inside the ear. This usually happens in the the outer ear. The resulting earache is often known as "swimmers ear," even though the moisture doesn't always get to the ear during swimming. It could be caused by sweat from vigorous activity.

An earache that occurs in the outer ear is called otitis externa.

Otitis externa can also be caused by a minor injury such as a scrape to the ear canal skin (usually from a cotton-tipped swab or an object like a paper clip). There can be a break in the skin allowing bacteria to get inside the ear and start an infection that results in an earache.

On the other hand, otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, and it's usually caused by bacteria, fungus, or some other pollutant or toxin that gets into the middle ear. These can cause an earache because parts of the ear to become inflamed and filled with mucus or even pus.

Pollutants, toxins and circumstances that are considered risk factors for earache include

Allergies
Germs from other children at schools or daycare centers
Exposure to a lot of second hand smoke
In infants, bottle feeding rather than breast feeding.
Family history of ear infections

Some people who have malformations of the head and neck area seem to be earache prone.

Need more information about the ears? Use the convenient box below to search for related websites

Learn More About Your Ears and Hearing

This electronic book covers many of the topics included on this website and also features additional information and resources.

Just $3.97 (half-price) when you order from this site

Click here for more information

To see dozens of additional medical products and books related to health, click on

Created by DuPage Digital
20 Danada Square West, Suite 167 Wheaton, IL 60187
630-229-3291

Home Page and Article Index Online Bookstore Forums Liver Heart Lungs Stomach Gallbladder Thyroid Prostate Eyes and Vision Ears and Hearing Blogs Gallbladder Liver Lungs Stomach Heart and Circulation Lungs and Breathing The Lungs COPD Emphysema Bronchitis Stomach and Digestion Stomach Ache Stomach Bloating Sour Stomach Stomach Gas Stomach Cancer Liver Fatty Liver Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Liver Failure Liver Disease Liver Transplants Gallbladder Ears and Hearing Ear Wax Ear Pressure Ear Staples Ear Mites Eye Disease Pink Eye Lazy Eye Cataracts Glaucoma Macular Degeneration LASIK Eye Surgery Thyroid Pancreas Pancreas Cancer Prostate Enlarged Prostate Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer Symptoms Prostate Cancer Surgery Prostate Cancer Cure Privacy Policy Contact Us Site Map

Home Page and Article Index

Online Bookstore


◦	Liver

◦	Heart

◦	Lungs

◦	Stomach

◦	Gallbladder

◦	Thyroid

◦	Prostate

◦	Eyes and Vision

◦	Ears and Hearing


◦	Gallbladder

◦	Liver

◦	Lungs

◦	Stomach

Heart and Circulation


◦	Heart Attack

◦	Heart Disease

◦	Heart Rate Info

◦	Heart Palpitation

Lungs and Breathing


◦	The Lungs

◦	Lung Infection

◦	Allergies and Breathing

◦	Asthma

◦	Flu

◦	Lung Diseases

◦	Lung Cancer

◦	COPD

◦	Emphysema

◦	Bronchitis

Stomach and Digestion


◦	Acid Reflux

◦	Stomach Ache

◦	Stomach Bloating

◦	Stomach Ulcer

◦	Stomach Flu - Stomach Virus

◦	Sour Stomach

◦	Stomach Gas

◦	Stomach Cancer

◦	Stomach Surgery

◦	Lap Band Stomach Surgery

◦	Gastric Bypass Surgery


◦	Fatty Liver

◦	Hepatitis

◦	Hepatitis A

◦	Hepatitis B

◦	Hepatitis C

◦	Cirrhosis of the Liver

◦	Liver Failure

◦	Liver Disease

◦	Liver Cancer

◦	Liver Cleanse

◦	Liver Transplants

◦	Jaundice


◦	Gallbladder Disease

◦	Gallbladder Removal

Ears and Hearing


◦	Ear Infection

◦	Earache

◦	Ringing in the Ear

◦	Ear Wax

◦	Ear Candling

◦	Ear Pressure

◦	Inner Ear

◦	Fluid in the Ear

◦	Ear Staples

◦	Ear Mites


◦	Sore Throat

◦	Strep Throat

◦	Throat Cancer


◦	Pink Eye

◦	Lazy Eye

◦	Cataracts

◦	Glaucoma

◦	Macular Degeneration

◦	LASIK Eye Surgery


◦	Thyroid Problems

◦	Overactive Thyroid

◦	Underactive Thyroid

◦	Thyroid Cancer


◦	Pancreas Cancer


◦	Enlarged Prostate

◦	Prostate Cancer

◦	Prostate Cancer Symptoms

◦	Prostate Cancer Surgery

◦	Prostate Cancer Cure