What should you know about left side head and ear pain?

Earache can be felt with pressure, fullness, reduced hearing, discharge, or tenderness around the ear. A Middle Ear Infection may occur after a Common Cold and can bring ear pressure, fever, or worsening pain. Earwax Buildup may cause blockage and reduced hearing rather than a cold-like illness. Sinusitis can cause facial pressure and pain that is felt around the ear or head, while Tonsillitis can refer pain toward the ear, especially with a sore throat or painful swallowing. Jaw clenching, dental problems, or neck muscle tension can also send pain toward the ear. The combination does not identify one diagnosis without an examination.

Rest, keep fluids available, and note whether swallowing, chewing, lying down, or touching the ear changes the pain. Do not put cotton buds, oil, or unprescribed drops into the ear, and keep water out if there is discharge or a known eardrum problem. A warm compress outside the ear may feel soothing. Ask a pharmacist about suitable pain relief, especially if you have a chronic condition, take other medicines, or are considering treatment for a child.

Arrange an examination for persistent or recurrent pain, new hearing loss, ear discharge, fever, or pain that makes chewing or swallowing difficult. Seek urgent care for swelling behind the ear, a severely ill appearance, facial weakness, severe dizziness, sudden hearing loss, confusion, a severe headache with neck stiffness, or symptoms after a head injury. Do not self-start Antibiotic Treatment; the cause determines whether it is useful.

Ask whether the ear canal and eardrum need checking, whether the pain could be referred from the throat or jaw, and whether Ear Wax Removal is appropriate or should be avoided.