Earaches are certainly more common among children, but they can happen to adults as well. And if you experience an earache, it can definitely feel concerning.

So, what’s causing that dull, throbbing pain? There are many possible culprits, and our team at AFC Urgent Care South Charlotte walks you through some of them below.

What Are the Common Causes of Earaches?

Injury, infection, irritation in the ear or referred pain are the most common causes.

What is “referred pain,” you ask? Referred pain is pain felt somewhere other than the infection or injured site. For example, pain that originates in the jaw or teeth may be felt in the ear. We’ve listed some more specific causes of ear pain below.

Common Culprits of Ear Pain

• Ear infection. Inner, middle and outer ear infections can cause pain and discomfort in one or both ears.
• Change in pressure, such as when flying on a plane
• Earwax buildup
• Sinus infection
• Use of cotton swabs in the ear
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
• Perforated eardrum
• Impacted tooth
• Eczema in the ear canal

How Can I Help My Ear Feel Better?

There are many effective home remedies that we’ve listed below, but sometimes ear pain needs medical attention.

Experts say to seek medical attention if you experience severe ear pain that stops suddenly. This could be a sign of a ruptured eardrum. Also, if symptoms like dizziness, swelling around the ear or a bad headache appear, don’t wait to visit our AFC center to get medical treatment.

Home Remedies for Ear Pain

• Apply a cold washcloth to the ear.
• Avoid getting the ear wet.
• Sit upright to help relieve ear pressure.
• Use over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops.
• Take OTC pain relievers.

Whether it’s an earache or ear infection, our AFC Urgent Care South Charlotte team can provide the necessary treatment you need to feel better! Don’t hesitate to give us a call or visit us today.