People sometimes confuse an earache with an ear infection. Children are not the only people that get earaches. Adults are also prone and may get them for a variety of reasons. There are multiple signs and symptoms that can alert you to an earache regardless of whether or not there is an infection involved.
Redness or Swelling of the Outer Ear
Swelling or discoloration of the outer ear, turning it red, may indicate an infection of the outer ear canal or possibly a skin infection known as cellulitis, according to HealthCentral.com. These may be two separate conditions with similar outward appearances. Either of these conditions requires close attention and possible medical care.
Pulling on the Ear
Sometimes an earache arises from an infection inside the ear, causing pain when the ear is pulled, nasal congestion, a temperature and general feeling of being ill. There may be some hearing loss and pain experienced deep in the ear and at the side of the head. This symptom picture may indicate otitis media and can occur in both adults and children. Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear and eardrum and is very common in infants and children, according to emedicinehealth.com.
People with swimmer's ear--when water gets lodged in the ear canal--may also pull and tug on their ear, but the other concomitant symptoms are not present as with otitis media.
Hearing Loss
Ringing and other noises in the ear may cause some hearing loss and be one of the first signs of an ear infection. There may be a blocked sensation or sense of fullness that makes hearing difficult, explains emedicinehealth.com.
Pain and Discharge
If there is pain in the ear, side of the head extending into the nasal passage or a pus-like discharge, it generally indicates a middle or inner ear infection and needs medical attention, especially if the patient is a child.
Wakefulness
In children, difficulty sleeping with crying or restlessness may indicate the existence of an earache, especially if they dig with a finger in the ear or if there is redness of the outer ear.
Irritability and Fretfulness
Children and adults can often become irritable, angry and grouchy when experiencing an earache, and this symptom should not be ignored as an early sign of something being wrong.
Swallowing, Chewing, Blowing Nose
If there is pain or difficulty swallowing or chewing food, or a clicking noise in the ear, this may be an early sign of an earache. Blowing the nose may also cause discomfort felt in the ear canal, according to wrongdiagnosis.com.
