What should you know about face and ear pain?

A cold or sinusitis can create pressure in the face and a blocked feeling in the ear because swelling affects connected passages. A middle-ear infection may cause deeper ear pain, reduced hearing, fever, or irritability. Earwax buildup can block sound and produce fullness, though it should not be pushed deeper with cotton buds. Tonsillitis or dental and jaw problems can send pain toward the ear even when the ear itself looks normal. Note the side, onset, fever, discharge, hearing change, sore throat, congestion, and pain when chewing.

Rest, drink fluids, and use a warm or cool compress on the face or outer ear according to what feels soothing. Keep water and objects out of the ear, and do not insert cotton buds. Saline nasal spray may ease congestion. A pharmacist can advise on suitable pain relief after checking your health conditions and medicines. Antibiotic treatment is not appropriate for every cause of ear pain, so an examination is useful before starting one. Ear-wax removal should be performed safely when wax is the likely cause.

Seek urgent care for swelling or redness behind the ear, severe dizziness, facial weakness, sudden hearing loss, severe headache, confusion, or a serious injury. Prompt assessment is needed for pus or blood from the ear, high fever, worsening pain, or significant swelling of the face or throat. Arrange a review when pain persists, keeps returning, affects sleep, or is accompanied by ongoing hearing difficulty.

Is the pain coming from the ear, sinuses, throat, teeth, or jaw? Do I have wax or signs of infection? Is pain relief enough, or is another treatment needed? Which changes should make me seek urgent care?