Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMiddle Ear InfectionsRuptured Ear DrumSwimmer’s EarPerichondritisSurgery InjuryPain Management
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Middle Ear Infections
Ruptured Ear Drum
Swimmer’s Ear
Perichondritis
Surgery Injury
Pain Management
The various causes ofear painare almost too numerous to count. This article will take a look at the most common causes and explore methods for managing pain related to individual conditions.
wilpunt / Getty Images
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infections)
Otitis mediais aninfection of the middle ear. It is most commonly seen in children (often in infants and toddlers) but can occur in adults as well. Signs of this infection include pain that increases at night.
Another treatment option for pain control is analgesic ear drops.These ear drops contain a local anesthetic, similar to lidocaine or bupivacaine, which can be inserted directly into the ear.
In this case, oral pain medications ranging from over-the-counter analgesics, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, to prescription opioids, such as Percocet will likely be used. You should also keep your ear dry at all times if you have ruptured your ear drum.
Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)
Swimmer’s earis an infection of the outer ear, which can be quite painful. Some signs of this condition include pain,redness, itchiness and scaly flaking skin.This condition usually requires medical intervention. When managing ear pain related to swimmer’s ear, it may be helpful to use a heating pad over the affected ear.
In its early stages, ear pain can be managed using over-the-counter pain medications. If the infection has progressed far enough to require surgery, prescription medications, such as Percocet, may be necessary. Keep your upper body elevated and use an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.
Many options are available for controlling ear pain after surgery or in the case of an injury. Your healthcare provider will ultimately decide what treatment should be used, but you should be aware of your healthcare provider’s options, which include:
Many patients would prefer to use natural methods for controlling their pain. Here are some examples of alternative pain treatments that have been proven effective for some people.
Talking to your healthcare provider about these treatments before using them is a good idea, especially if you have a serious condition, such as perichondritis, which may be affecting the bones in your face. In this instance, for example, a facial massage is probably not the best idea.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection): Management and Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. March 2019.Hay AD, Downing H, Francis NA, et al.Anaesthetic-analgesic ear drops to reduce antibiotic consumption in children with acute otitis media: the CEDAR RCT.Health Technol Assess. 2019;23(34):1-48. doi:10.3310/hta23340Ruptured Eardrum (Acutely Perforated Tympanic Membrane). Cleveland Clinic. April 2019.Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear). American Academy of Family Physicians. January 2019.Perichondritis. US National Library of Medicine. December 2018.Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain. University of Rochester Medical Center.Tramadol. US National Library of Medicine. January 2019.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about several safety issues with opioid pain medicines; requires label changes. US Food & Drug Administration. March 2016.Tonsil and adenoid removal - discharge. US National Library of Medicine. November 2018.Thompson T, Terhune DB, Oram C, et al.The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;99:298-310. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.013Additional ReadingMedline Plus. Ear Drainage.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedline Plus. Ear Drum Repair.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedline Plus. Ear Infections.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedlinePlus. Perichondritis.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001253.htm
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection): Management and Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. March 2019.Hay AD, Downing H, Francis NA, et al.Anaesthetic-analgesic ear drops to reduce antibiotic consumption in children with acute otitis media: the CEDAR RCT.Health Technol Assess. 2019;23(34):1-48. doi:10.3310/hta23340Ruptured Eardrum (Acutely Perforated Tympanic Membrane). Cleveland Clinic. April 2019.Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear). American Academy of Family Physicians. January 2019.Perichondritis. US National Library of Medicine. December 2018.Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain. University of Rochester Medical Center.Tramadol. US National Library of Medicine. January 2019.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about several safety issues with opioid pain medicines; requires label changes. US Food & Drug Administration. March 2016.Tonsil and adenoid removal - discharge. US National Library of Medicine. November 2018.Thompson T, Terhune DB, Oram C, et al.The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;99:298-310. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.013Additional ReadingMedline Plus. Ear Drainage.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedline Plus. Ear Drum Repair.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedline Plus. Ear Infections.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedlinePlus. Perichondritis.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001253.htm
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection): Management and Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. March 2019.Hay AD, Downing H, Francis NA, et al.Anaesthetic-analgesic ear drops to reduce antibiotic consumption in children with acute otitis media: the CEDAR RCT.Health Technol Assess. 2019;23(34):1-48. doi:10.3310/hta23340Ruptured Eardrum (Acutely Perforated Tympanic Membrane). Cleveland Clinic. April 2019.Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear). American Academy of Family Physicians. January 2019.Perichondritis. US National Library of Medicine. December 2018.Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain. University of Rochester Medical Center.Tramadol. US National Library of Medicine. January 2019.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about several safety issues with opioid pain medicines; requires label changes. US Food & Drug Administration. March 2016.Tonsil and adenoid removal - discharge. US National Library of Medicine. November 2018.Thompson T, Terhune DB, Oram C, et al.The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;99:298-310. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.013
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection): Management and Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. March 2019.
Hay AD, Downing H, Francis NA, et al.Anaesthetic-analgesic ear drops to reduce antibiotic consumption in children with acute otitis media: the CEDAR RCT.Health Technol Assess. 2019;23(34):1-48. doi:10.3310/hta23340
Ruptured Eardrum (Acutely Perforated Tympanic Membrane). Cleveland Clinic. April 2019.
Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear). American Academy of Family Physicians. January 2019.
Perichondritis. US National Library of Medicine. December 2018.
Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain. University of Rochester Medical Center.
Tramadol. US National Library of Medicine. January 2019.
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about several safety issues with opioid pain medicines; requires label changes. US Food & Drug Administration. March 2016.
Tonsil and adenoid removal - discharge. US National Library of Medicine. November 2018.
Thompson T, Terhune DB, Oram C, et al.The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;99:298-310. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.013
Medline Plus. Ear Drainage.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedline Plus. Ear Drum Repair.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedline Plus. Ear Infections.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earinfections.htmlMedlinePlus. Perichondritis.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001253.htm
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
