What should you know about Hyland's earache?

Earache may come from the ear canal, eardrum or middle ear, but pain can also be felt when the throat, teeth, jaw or sinuses are affected. A common cold can block the tube that equalises pressure behind the eardrum. Middle ear infection may cause pain, fever, irritability or reduced hearing. Earwax buildup can create fullness and muffled hearing. Tonsillitis and sinusitis may cause pain that seems to spread towards the ear. The pattern, duration, discharge and hearing changes help a clinician decide what to examine.

Keep water and objects out of the ear and do not use cotton buds to probe inside it. A pharmacist or clinician can advise on suitable pain relief after checking your age, pregnancy status, allergies and other medicines. Do not use leftover antibiotic drops or tablets. Antibiotic treatment is only helpful for selected infections, and ear wax removal should be guided by a professional when wax is suspected. Arrange review if pain persists, hearing changes, or symptoms follow an injury or pressure change.

Seek prompt medical care for swelling behind the ear, severe pain, pus or blood from the ear, sudden hearing loss, dizziness, facial weakness, high fever, or a child who appears very unwell. Urgent assessment is also sensible when an object is stuck in the ear or pain follows a head injury.

Ask which part of the ear is affected, whether wax or infection is present, what pain relief is suitable, and when hearing or symptoms should be reassessed.