An earache can have many causes, and some of them have nothing to do with your ear. To get relief, you need to identify what's causing the pain. (Photo Credit: Generative AI by Getty Images)
An earache is pain in or around the ear that can range from a dull pressure to a sharp, burning sensation. It’s one of the most common reasons parents bring children to the doctor, but adults get earaches too, and the causes aren’t always what you’d expect.
AOL: How to know if you have an ear infection (and get rid of one)
How to know if you have an ear infection (and get rid of one)
Stop an earache fast with at-home remedies like warm compresses and herbal oils. Learn how to tell if ear pain requires medical attention.
What is ear pain? Ear pain (an earache) is a symptom of many health conditions. It could point to an underlying issue. Or it might mean you have an ear infection.
Earaches usually occur in children, but they can occur in adults as well. An earache may affect one or both ears, but the majority of the time it is in one ear.
Earache and ear pain is caused by a variety of diseases and conditions, for example, causes like swimmer's ear, middle ear infections, and TMJ. Symptoms of earache are pain in the ear, fever, headache, or fluid leaking from the ear.
Most earaches go away with home treatment in a couple days. If you have mild ear pain, the mostly likely cause is a viral or bacterial infection. In many cases, these kinds of earaches heal on their own, with no need for medical treatment. Wait 1-2 days to see if you start to feel better.